Policy & Regulation
DOE eases nuclear safety rules for demonstration reactors
The Trump administration has quietly cut about a third of the Department of Energy's nuclear safety rulebook, potentially accelerating reactor development at the cost of environmental and worker protections.
For the last several months, nuclear startups have been raising large sums of money, securing well over $1 billion so far. Data centers and their thirst for electricity have been one driving force behind this interest. However, recent changes to federal nuclear safety policies could be another accelerant that helps clear the way for speedy reactor development. Specifically, the Trump administration has quietly changed how the Department of Energy (DOE)—the US government agency responsible for energy policy and nuclear oversight on its properties—oversees the safety and security of nuclear power plants built on its properties. According to a report from NPR, about a third of the rulebook—the set of safety and operational regulations—has been axed, and several sections have been heavily revised.
These regulatory changes alter the safety and operational requirements for facilities built on government land. Under the revised rules, previous requirements, including those aimed at limiting groundwater and environmental contamination, are now suggestions rather than mandatory rules. Furthermore, workers can be exposed to higher doses of radiation under the new guidelines. Plant security protocols are also affected by the revisions, as they are now largely up to the company operating the facility.
According to NPR, the new rules were developed without public comment or notice. These changes do not apply to all nuclear projects; they only apply to reactors built on DOE property. Nuclear facilities built elsewhere remain subject to Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) oversight, which serves as the regulator for reactors not on DOE property. This distinction is relevant for the private sector, as several startups are currently developing demonstration reactors—which are experimental or pilot-scale nuclear power plants—on DOE property. These companies are working in the hopes of hitting a Trump administration deadline of July 4, 2026.
Why it matters
Recent changes to federal nuclear safety policies could be an accelerant that helps clear the way for speedy reactor development, potentially at a cost to human and environmental health.