Jeff Brumfield

So the NRC was set up back in 1974 by Congress as an independent agency, and it's operated under the purview of five commissioners, a mix of Democrats and Republicans. And their job is to enforce the rules of the nation's nuclear reactors. But now the White House is getting involved. Two U.S.

So the NRC was set up back in 1974 by Congress as an independent agency, and it's operated under the purview of five commissioners, a mix of Democrats and Republicans. And their job is to enforce the rules of the nation's nuclear reactors. But now the White House is getting involved. Two U.S.

officials tell NPR that any new rules for nuclear safety must now go through the White House Office of Management and Budget for review, which before they can be finalized. And the White House also reserves the right to change those nuclear safety rules if they see fit. This is a big departure. I spoke to a former chair of the NRC, Alison McFarland.

officials tell NPR that any new rules for nuclear safety must now go through the White House Office of Management and Budget for review, which before they can be finalized. And the White House also reserves the right to change those nuclear safety rules if they see fit. This is a big departure. I spoke to a former chair of the NRC, Alison McFarland.

officials tell NPR that any new rules for nuclear safety must now go through the White House Office of Management and Budget for review, which before they can be finalized. And the White House also reserves the right to change those nuclear safety rules if they see fit. This is a big departure. I spoke to a former chair of the NRC, Alison McFarland.

She was appointed by President Obama, and here's what she had to say.

She was appointed by President Obama, and here's what she had to say.

She was appointed by President Obama, and here's what she had to say.

She felt this kind of review should be off limits.

She felt this kind of review should be off limits.

She felt this kind of review should be off limits.

Yeah, that's right. This executive order is entitled, quote, ordering reform of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. It calls for a reduction in force at the NRC, a, quote, wholesale revision of nuclear safety regulations, speeding up review of licenses for new kinds of reactors. And lastly, it instructs the agency to look into relaxing its

Yeah, that's right. This executive order is entitled, quote, ordering reform of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. It calls for a reduction in force at the NRC, a, quote, wholesale revision of nuclear safety regulations, speeding up review of licenses for new kinds of reactors. And lastly, it instructs the agency to look into relaxing its

Yeah, that's right. This executive order is entitled, quote, ordering reform of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. It calls for a reduction in force at the NRC, a, quote, wholesale revision of nuclear safety regulations, speeding up review of licenses for new kinds of reactors. And lastly, it instructs the agency to look into relaxing its

some of the radiation standards for workers and the public. Of course, this is a draft. We don't know what will be in the final version or even if Trump will sign a final version, but he is expected to sign some orders related to nuclear power relatively soon.

some of the radiation standards for workers and the public. Of course, this is a draft. We don't know what will be in the final version or even if Trump will sign a final version, but he is expected to sign some orders related to nuclear power relatively soon.

some of the radiation standards for workers and the public. Of course, this is a draft. We don't know what will be in the final version or even if Trump will sign a final version, but he is expected to sign some orders related to nuclear power relatively soon.

You know, Scott, it's less about safety and more about independence. The administration really doesn't like independent agencies. It views them as bureaucracy run amok. Here's Russ Vogt, Trump's head of the Office of Management and Budget, speaking about it to Tucker Carlson.

You know, Scott, it's less about safety and more about independence. The administration really doesn't like independent agencies. It views them as bureaucracy run amok. Here's Russ Vogt, Trump's head of the Office of Management and Budget, speaking about it to Tucker Carlson.

You know, Scott, it's less about safety and more about independence. The administration really doesn't like independent agencies. It views them as bureaucracy run amok. Here's Russ Vogt, Trump's head of the Office of Management and Budget, speaking about it to Tucker Carlson.