For the last several months, nuclear startups have been raising large sums of money, well over one billion dollars so far. Data centers and their thirst for electricity have been one driving force. But recent changes to federal nuclear safety policies could be another accelerant that helps clear the way for speedy reactor development, potentially at a cost to human and environmental health.
The Trump administration has quietly changed how the Department of Energy oversees the safety and security of nuclear power plants built on its properties. About a third of the rulebook has been axed, and several sections have been heavily revised. Previous requirements, including those aimed at limiting groundwater and environmental contamination, are now suggestions. Workers can now be exposed to higher doses of radiation, and plant security protocols are largely up to the company.
The new rules were developed without public comment or notice. They only apply to reactors built on DOE property; those built elsewhere are still subject to Nuclear Regulatory Commission oversight. Several startups are developing demonstration reactors on DOE property in the hopes of hitting a Trump administration deadline of July 4, 2026.