Public Policy & Engagement

The U.S. nuclear industry is standing at its most volatile regulatory moment yet—one that will shape the trajectory and the safety of the industry for decades to come. Recent judicial, legislative, and executive actions are rewriting the rules governing the licensing and regulation of nuclear power reactors. Although these changes are intended to promote and accelerate the deployment of new nuclear energy technologies, the collision of multiple legal shifts—occurring simultaneously and intersecting with profound technological uncertainties—is overwhelming the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and threatening to destabilize investor and industry expectations.

As President Trump hosted Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House on November 19, Department of Energy Secretary Chris Wright confirmed that the United States and Saudi Arabia have signed a “historic” deal on cooperation in the civilian nuclear energy sector. The “Joint Declaration on the Completion of Negotiations on Civil Nuclear Cooperation” is seen as an important part to strengthen U.S. influence in the Gulf region to counter the influence of Iran, Russia, and China.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The American Nuclear Society (ANS) applauds the U.S. Senate’s confirmation of Ho Nieh to serve as a commissioner of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC):