Andrew Cuomo recently received applause for closing a nuclear plant "14 years ahead of schedule," a move questioned by former nuclear engineer Ray Rothrock, who asked, "Why would they applaud?" Rothrock, who has met with presidents to advocate for nuclear power, lamented that "nothing was ever addressed."

President Donald Trump directed the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to accelerate the licensing process for new nuclear plants. This directive drew criticism from Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D–R.I.), who called it a "flagrant disregard for nuclear safety."

Media outlets have amplified fears, with Time magazine labeling the situation a "nuclear nightmare" and The Washington Post describing it as a "nuclear crisis." A widely quoted analyst went further, stating, "The result…should be the abandonment of nuclear power!"

Contrasting these concerns, the United Nations reported "no discernible increased incidence of radiation-related health effects." Regulatory authorities have also emphasized safety, stating, "If it takes a 3-foot, 6-inch wall to protect from the radiation…why don't you make it 4? Better still, why don't you make it 10?"

Despite decades of panic, a new reactor has been approved for the first time in 10 years, signaling a potential shift in the U.S. nuclear energy landscape.

Sources