Trump Fires Nuclear Regulator Christopher Hanson
President Donald Trump terminated nuclear regulator Christopher Hanson on Friday, part of a broader strategy to reshape the National Regulatory Commission (NRC) in line with his pro-nuclear energy stance. This decision comes shortly after Trump signed a presidential order aimed at overhauling the agency’s licensing process to expedite reactor construction.
Following the dismissals, the NRC is currently evenly divided, with three commissioners remaining. In a LinkedIn post, Hanson noted, “Late on Friday, President Trump ended my position with the US Nuclear Regulation Authority without reason, contrary to existing laws and long-standing precedents regarding the removal of independent appointees.”
Hanson had been leading the NRC during the early Biden administration and continued as a commissioner after Trump’s term began. His removal means the commission is now comprised of two Republicans and two Democrats, as David Wright, a Republican, presided as chairman earlier this year.
A spokesperson from the White House confirmed that “Chris Hanson is no longer in the NRC.” Deputy Director Anna Kelly remarked that the organization functions better when its leadership shares a common direction. However, the White House did not provide details on whether Trump plans to appoint someone to Hanson’s vacant position.
Trump’s executive order instructs the NRC to eliminate what he terms an “irrational” radiation exposure model, impose strict deadlines for license review, and reduce the size of the advisory panel. While reactor developers are anticipated to benefit from these changes, some scientists and environmental groups are viewing these adjustments with caution.
Edwin Lyman, director of the Nuclear Power Safety Bureau at the Coalition of Concerned Scientists, described the firing as an alarming move that undermines the safety and security of the US nuclear fleet.
The White House’s assertive approach toward regulators isn’t new; this past March, Trump asked for the resignation of two Democratic commissioners from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) while earlier in April, he saw the departure of a Democratic energy regulator from the former Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).
In reflecting on his time with the NRC, Hanson expressed gratitude: “It was an honor to serve with the dedicated NRC civil servants. I continue to have full confidence in their commitment to protecting public health, safety, and the environment.”
