U.S. Nuclear Regulator Proposes Removing ALARA Radiation Standard

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) announced a proposal to eliminate the long‑standing "As Low as Reasonably Achievable" (ALARA) requirement for radiation protection at nuclear power plants. The change would replace the linear no‑threshold model with a more flexible, risk‑based approach, aiming to reduce regulatory burden and accelerate the construction of new reactors.

The proposal is part of the Trump administration’s broader effort to quadruple U.S. nuclear generating capacity to about 400 GW by 2050, addressing rising electricity demand from data centers, electric vehicles and other technologies. NRC Chair Ho Nieh said the rule would “raise the bar on clarity” without lowering safety standards. Critics, including nuclear safety advocate Edwin Lyman of the Union of Concerned Scientists, warn that removing ALARA could allow higher radiation exposures and increase cancer risk. The agency will accept public comments on the rule for 45 days before finalizing it.