Public Policy & Engagement

A proposed rule from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission would update radiation protection regulations and remove “as low as reasonably achievable” (ALARA) language without changing specific radiation exposure limits that are based on the linear no-threshold (LNT) model of low-dose radiation health effects. A second proposed rule would reform reactor licensing, safety oversight, and siting practices with changes the agency said are the most significant in years.

The NRC unveiled the two proposed rules on July 1 and published them in the ADAMS public document library the same day. The rules have not, at this writing, been published in the Federal Register, but once they are, each rule will be open for public comment for 45 days.

Josh Freed

On top of the many celebrations planned for America’s 250th birthday, the Trump administration wants to mark a nuclear milestone as well: achieving criticality for at least three advanced reactor concepts by July 4, 2026.

But this wouldn’t really be a milestone. On a day of fireworks nationwide, it would just be more noise.

Third Way has celebrated the nuclear sector’s progress during the Trump administration and supported the goal of 400 GW of nuclear energy by 2050. Additionally, we think all five commissioners on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission have prioritized safety in new designs and defended an understaffed agency under pressure to bypass important processes.

Updates from utility companies in Colorado and Arizona, nuclear legislation and discussions, and the potential Duane Arnold restart were among the news items in the month of June at the local and state levels.