The Trump Administration has issued many “Executive Orders” to fast-track new nuclear power building and licensing. These orders urge the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to weaken its radiation standards to expedite the push across the U.S. for nuclear-powered data centers and more nuclear weapons and reactors.
Now, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission is asking for public comment on proposed changes in current radiation exposure standards, which would remove the long-standing goal of keeping emissions As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA).
The proposed rule would open the door to people being exposed to higher radiation through releases to air and water from nuclear power, as well as from medical and research facilities. Those who work in these facilities would be at even higher risk.
These proposed rule changes serve the nuclear power industry and giant tech companies betting on AI data centers, and they ignore the immense damage to public health from more radioactive pollution in our air, food, and water.
Let’s be clear: There is no "safe" level of radiation exposure. Every dose adds to your lifetime risk of cancer and other illnesses like heart disease and reduced immunity. Higher radiation exposures increase the risk to our communities, especially those near nuclear facilities.
[To learn more: https://www.protectbetter.org/ ; Reforming and Modernizing the NRC’s Radiation Protection Framework]
We must insist on strengthening radiation exposure protection guidelines, not weakening them!
Take action to safeguard public health and the environment. Say NO to the NRC’s proposed changes and submit your public comments to the NRC before August 31, 11:59 EST.
Using the talking points below, submit your comments to the NRC today! Be sure to add your personal message in your comments. It's critical that your message is unique. Unique responses have more impact with the agency receiving them. Note that this tool does not support "anonymous" submissions; your comments will be submitted identifying you as an individual.
Talking Points
- This rule does not keep up with radiation science, which shows that even one radioactive particle, if ingested via air, food, or water, can cause cancer or illness.
- This rule eliminates ALARA — the longstanding As Low As Reasonably Achievable standard — exempting industry from precautions that prevent spread of radioactivity to workers, the public, and the environment. (Federal Register Vol. 91, No. 134, p. 43463)
- Current standards are based on an adult male body — not women, not children, not girls. Girls face higher lifetime cancer risks. Pregnancy exposures can affect three generations at once.
- Industry will be allowed to expose the public to more radioactive pollution just by asking for an exemption, effectively deregulating itself.
- There is no obvious way for the public to object to or refuse radioactive exposures under this rule — it amounts to silencing public opposition.
- The NRC claims to maintain current protection levels while weakening them — a duplicitous claim. This proposed rule shifts cost from industry to public health