Critics warn it could weaken nuclear safety. The Union of Concerned Scientists argued that shifting the NRC’s mission to avoid “unnecessary” restrictions invites legal challenges and may paralyze safety oversight. Tlaib also blasted the bill for pairing nuclear provisions with essential firefighter funding.
Nuclear power provides 20% of U.S. electricity, with 93 reactors operating nationwide. Despite concerns over waste storage, the U.S. has not experienced any major nuclear waste incidents. Globally, the U.S. leads in nuclear generation, while France relies on nuclear for nearly 70% of its electricity.