Trump Administration Rolls Back Nuclear Safety Regulations

The Trump administration has significantly altered safety protocols for workers at US nuclear facilities, raising concerns about increased radiation exposure. These changes impact all nuclear workers, from those directly handling nuclear materials to support staff like plumbers and janitors.

Deregulation Driven by 'Nuclear Renaissance'

New reporting by High Country News details how the Department of Energy (DOE) has been stripping back effective safety regulations as part of the administration’s push for a ‘nuclear renaissance.’ This deregulation stems from four executive orders aimed at reducing restrictions on the nuclear industry.

Worker Concerns and Reduced Safety Standards

Bradley Clawson, a former nuclear energy worker at Idaho National Laboratory, expressed concern, stating, “They’re pulling away from what’s kept us safe all these years. In the long run it helped us as workers. It was keeping us from getting a higher dose.” The DOE and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) are now taking a more lenient approach to safety at both federal and commercial nuclear facilities.

Shifting Assumptions About Radiation Exposure

Previously, agencies operated under the assumption that even minimal radiation exposure posed health risks. However, the current administration prioritizes speed and efficiency. A May 2025 executive order directed the NRC to reconsider the “linear no-threshold model” for radiation exposure and the “as low as reasonably achievable” (ALARA) standard, which are based on the LNT model.

Increased Production Demands

At Los Alamos National Laboratory, the administration has mandated a doubling of annual nuclear core production, even for non-nuclear workers who are exposed to some radiation. This increased output is occurring despite a growing shortage of trained staff and recent layoffs within the Department of Energy.

Criticism from Health and Environmental Groups

A coalition of doctors, environmental activists, and researchers sent a scathing letter condemning the safety rollbacks as a “deliberate subversion of science and public health in favor of corporate interests.” They argue that weakening radiation protections will inevitably lead to increased human disease and suffering.

Reliance on Contractors and Safety Culture

Many facilities are increasingly relying on third-party contractors to maintain operations amidst staffing shortages. Critics argue this leads to a breakdown in long-term safety culture as contractors rotate between sites. An incident in October, where a contractor fell into a reactor cavity at Michigan’s Palisade Power Plant, highlights these concerns.

Continued Deregulation

While a direct link between the deregulation and the Palisade Power Plant incident is debated, it occurred during a period of heightened pressure and under an administration committed to accelerating nuclear energy development.