WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Trump administration is reportedly drafting a series of executive orders aimed at accelerating nuclear power development in the United States, a move that critics say risks compromising safety, regulatory independence, and fiscal responsibility.
The draft orders include proposals to allow the reprocessing of nuclear waste—including plutonium—into reactor fuel. Administration officials have touted the measure as a potential boost to energy independence, but experts in nonproliferation warn that legitimizing reprocessing could widen vulnerable supply chains and set a dangerous international precedent. Recent reporting by Reuters indicated that such steps might inadvertently pave the way for a global expansion of reprocessing activities, heightening nuclear proliferation risks.
In another controversial move, the proposed orders would restructure the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), transferring greater control to the executive branch. The independent agency, which has long been responsible for maintaining rigorous safety standards at nuclear facilities, could see its autonomy reduced under the new plan. Observers note that this shift may weaken long-established regulatory safeguards that are critical to preventing accidents and ensuring public health.
Further compounding the controversy, the Trump administration’s fiscal year 2026 budget proposal reportedly includes a $408 million cut to the Office of Nuclear Energy. Critics argue that reducing funding for the agency responsible for advancing nuclear technology undermines the resources needed to safely manage an expanded nuclear energy program. This funding cut comes at a time when safety advocates are calling for stronger oversight and more robust risk management practices in the industry.
In another controversial move, the proposed orders would restructure the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), transferring greater control to the executive branch. The independent agency, which has long been responsible for maintaining rigorous safety standards at nuclear facilities, could see its autonomy reduced under the new plan. Observers note that this shift may weaken long-established regulatory safeguards that are critical to preventing accidents and ensuring public health.
Further compounding the controversy, the Trump administration’s fiscal year 2026 budget proposal reportedly includes a $408 million cut to the Office of Nuclear Energy. Critics argue that reducing funding for the agency responsible for advancing nuclear technology undermines the resources needed to safely manage an expanded nuclear energy program. This funding cut comes at a time when safety advocates are calling for stronger oversight and more robust risk management practices in the industry.
Environmental organizations — including the Union of Concerned Scientists — and former regulatory officials have expressed alarm over the suite of proposals. They point to emerging scientific evidence about the dangers of low-level radiation exposure and warn that any easing of strict regulatory controls could have long-term public health and environmental consequences.
The expected executive orders are part of a broader effort by the administration to streamline permitting processes, expedite reactor construction, and foster collaboration between the Departments of Energy and Defense in developing next-generation nuclear reactors. Some recent reports note that the planned regulatory overhaul is intended to encourage private capital investment in nuclear energy infrastructure, a strategy that critics say prioritizes rapid expansion over established safety protocols.
As these proposals move closer to finalization, legal challenges and heated debates appear likely. Lawmakers, safety experts, and environmental groups are calling for a thorough review of any changes that could alter decades of nuclear oversight, arguing that public health and environmental safety must not be sacrificed in the pursuit of energy innovation.
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