Public Comments about NRC’s Rollback of Radiation Exposure Standards due on Monday, August 31st

In compliance with the Trump administration Executive Orders 14300 and 14154, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is proposing to scrap long-standing radiation exposure standards for the general public and nuclear workers. The proposed rulemaking is called “Reforming and Modernizing the NRC’s Radiation Protection Framework,” which will result in more radiation exposures, not less. With cuts to medical assistance for so many in the U.S., the proposed changes will be even more harmful. And people will die as a result. https://www.regulations.gov/docket/NRC-2025-1140

Many health organizations and non-governmental organizations have requested extensions of the 47-day comment period in order to fully examine the draft Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Rule.  NRC has not responded positively to the requests.  Yet NRC states that the final rule will be published in the Federal Register in December 2026. https://www.regulations.gov/docket/NRC-2025-1140/document

On Monday, August 10th, the NRC held a virtual public meeting about the proposed changes. The slides are available at: https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ML2622/ML26223A303.pdf  Take a look at the NRC’s unacceptable plans allowing for more occupational and public exposures, not less.

Under the Executive Orders 14300, Ordering the Reform of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (May 23, 2025) at https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/DCPD-202500633/pdf/DCPD-202500633.pdf and 14154, Unleashing American Energy (January 20, 2025) at https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/DCPD-202500121/pdf/DCPD-202500121.pdf, the NRC is reconsidering the more protective linear no-threshold, or the LNT, model for radiation exposure, and the as low as reasonably achievable standard, or ALARA. NRC is working to eliminate both protective standards. https://www.protectbetter.org/learnmore

The planned occupational dose limit extension, or DLE, would allow NRC to double the annual occupational dose from 5 rem to 10 rem over a five-year period.  The suggested increase raises concerns about accurate exposure reporting and how those records would be handled over the five-year period. NRC does not examine the estimated health issues that would result from the increased doses.

In response, a new collaborative called the “Protect Better.org Campaign” has formed to educate the public about NRC’s ill-advised plans. https://www.protectbetter.org/ Two webinars will be held where you can learn more.

On Wednesday, August 19th from 6 to 7:30 pm Mountain Time, the first webinar about “In the Weeds” will be held on zoom.  https://www.protectbetter.org/nrc-comments

On Wednesday, August 26 from 6 to 7:30 pm the second webinar about “An International Perspective,” will be held on zoom. Register at ProtectBetter.Org to receive the zoom links. https://www.protectbetter.org/nrc-comments

As a bonus, also watch “How to submit comment to the NRC,” a three-minute zoom presentation about how to navigate the NRC comment process. https://www.protectbetter.org/nrc-comments

Your participation in this process is important!

1. The new film, An Ordinary Insanity, about the renowned whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg and the Nuclear Threat is available for FREE at https://www.anordinaryinsanity.com/. To view the 29-minute film, go to the Screenings Page at https://www.anordinaryinsanity.com/screenings    The film is a powerful wakeup call about the global threat posed by nuclear weapons and advocates how we can dramatically reduce the real and present danger of nuclear annihilation.

PLEASE SHARE ONLINE and SCREEN AT PUBLIC EVENTS.

2. Michael Moore put his film, “Sicko,” about the unequal health care system in America on YouTube. Watch it here for free.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJ4TQ9q8rPc

3. Friday, August 14^th from noon to 1 pm – Join the nuclear disarmament community at the intersection of East Alameda and Sandoval in Santa Fe for the weekly peaceful protest in support of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. Join with Veterans for Peace, CCNS, Nuclear Watch NM, Loretto Community, New Mexico Peace Fest, Pax Christi and others. Bring your flags, signs and banners.

4. Tuesday, August 25 – Los Alamos Nuclear Forum: Where History Powers What’s Next – Built in New Mexico, Deployed for the Nation. Hosted by New Mexico Nuclear Alliance. For more information, visit losalamosnuclearforum.com.

Tags: 2025), ALARA, as low as reasonably achievable standard, DLE, Environment Assessment, Executive Order 14154, Executive Order 14300, Linear No Threshold, LNT, NRC, occupational dose limit extension, Ordering the Reform of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (May 23, Reforming and Modernizing the NRC’s Radiation Protection Framework, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Unleashing American Energy (January 20, “An International Perspective” webinar, “How to submit comment to the NRC” zoom presentation, “In the Woods” webinar, “Protect Better.org Campaign