Trump wants to drastically speed up approvals for nuclear power plants
The nuclear supervisory authority is to be restructured in order to speed up the approval of new plants.
(Image: WeiĂźes Haus)
US President Donald Trump wants to simplify the licensing of new nuclear facilities by restructuring the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). In a decree, he explains that the expansion of nuclear power is intended to end dependence on countries that he classifies as geopolitical rivals and at the same time secure the industry's energy supply.
The NRC is responsible for protecting public safety and health in connection with the use of nuclear energy. Donald Trump justifies the restructuring by stating that the NRC approves too few new plants. According to his decree, the NRC overestimates the dangers associated with nuclear energy and bases its decisions on scientifically controversial assumptions, while ignoring the dangers associated with other energy technologies. At the same time, Trump also argues in favor of domestic fossil fuel production in the decree.
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The decree cites the so-called linear no-threshold model as an example of scientifically controversial assumptions. This states that the risk of cancer caused by radiation increases linearly in proportion to the radiation dose. This means that there is no safe radiation dose, no matter how low it is. Although the use of the model to predict cancer in particular is indeed controversial, it remains a key tool in radiation protection. This is mainly because it is in line with the precautionary principle and provides a clear, conservative basis for setting limits.
DOGE should also get involved
According to the decree, the NRC must consider the economic and safety benefits of increased availability and further development of nuclear power when issuing licenses and regulations. The authority is to be restructured by a DOGE team. The staff and remit of the committee for safety issues are to be reduced, while the team responsible for licensing nuclear plants is to be increased. In addition, the NRC is to set up a team of at least twenty people to draw up new regulations to accelerate the licensing process.
(dahe)
