During a recent meeting at the Idaho National Laboratory, officials from the Department of Energy, led by Seth Cohen, discussed the future of nuclear energy under the Trump administration. The meeting revealed a significant shift in nuclear energy regulation, driven by a push to increase energy availability for artificial intelligence. Concerns about health and safety, particularly regarding radiation exposure, were downplayed by Cohen, igniting fears among experts that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is losing its independence and safety oversight capabilities. The Trump administration's approach includes a significant reduction in NRC staffing, a faster approval process for new nuclear reactors, and the rewriting of many safety regulations. Over 400 NRC employees have resigned, and hiring has lagged. Critics worry that this haste could undermine public safety, recalling past nuclear accidents linked to insufficient regulatory oversight. Trump has emphasized the importance of nuclear energy for the U.S. economy and aims to quadruple nuclear output to meet energy demands. This has created concerns among industry veterans who fear that a lack of rigorous safety standards will jeopardize public trust in nuclear energy. Proponents of the administration argue that easing regulations is necessary to modernize the sector and meet technological demands, suggesting that significant changes will benefit the nuclear industry in the long term. The White House maintains its commitment to nuclear safety while pursuing changes that reflect political and economic pressures to expand nuclear energy.
Fri, 20 Mar 2026 10:00:00 GMT | ProPublica