Restructuring of DOGE's nuclear regulatory body sparks worries about its commitment to safety maintenance

The White House has issued an executive order on May 23, 2024, aimed at reorganizing the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and streamlining its operations. This order aligns with the Accelerating Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy (ADVANCE) Act, a bipartisan law passed in 2024, which aims to overhaul new reactor technology licensing.

The NRC, under the new order, is mandated for reorganization. This reorganization includes reducing the personnel and functions of the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeties (ACRS) to the "minimum necessary" level to fulfill statutory obligations. The NRC will work with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to enable and monitor this reduction.

The ACRS is responsible for reviewing safety studies and applications for reactor facility licenses and renewals. Critics, such as Edwin Lyman, the director of nuclear power safety at the nonprofit Union of Concerned Scientists, have expressed concerns that the order could take resources away from oversight and inspections.

Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-N.J., has also voiced concerns about the Department of Energy's (DOE) involvement in the NRC's reorganization, stating it could increase the risk of an accident. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., on the other hand, has pledged to ensure the NRC implements the ADVANCE Act in alignment with Trump's executive orders.

The ADVANCE Act contains provisions intended to streamline hiring at the NRC. However, a 2024 inspector general report revealed that the NRC, in fiscal 2023, set a goal to bring on 400 new staffers but only managed to hire 281, leaving 160 positions unfilled.

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., did not respond to a request for comment. The National Treasury Employees Union, which represents NRC workers, also declined to comment.

Notably, Sen. Moore Capito, along with the Energy and Commerce Committee Republicans, have pledged to continue working with the president to implement the ADVANCE Act and modernize the NRC. However, criticism of the executive order has been raised by nuclear safety advocates and congressional Democrats, who warn that reducing regulatory staff could compromise public health and safety.

In summary, the May 23 executive order aims to reorganize the NRC and streamline its operations in line with the ADVANCE Act. The order mandates workforce reductions, but allows for staffing increases in areas like new reactor licensing. The implications of this reorganization, particularly in terms of safety and efficiency, remain a topic of ongoing debate.