There is a lot of media buzz about nuclear reactors these days. Something essential is at stake and you may not be hearing about it.

The administration has a goal of quadrupling U.S. nuclear generating capacity from approximately 100 gigawatts today to about 400 gigawatts by 2050. Achieving that would require extending the lives of many existing reactors, restarting some closed plants where feasible, and constructing a large number of new reactors over the next 25 years. It is an ambitious goal

At the same time, the Administration has directed the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to reconsider the role of ALARA, one of the NRC’s longstanding radiation-protection principles. The ALARA principle has required radiation exposures to be kept “as low as reasonably achievable,” even when emissions are already below legal limits. This could be a big change that rubs against the expectations of many people who live near a nuclear reactor.

What we hear in the news media are very public moves by the administration and the nuclear industry. In a high profile announcement, Trump Media and Technology Group will merge with TAE Technologies. The combined company would include TAE Technologies’ work on commercial nuclear fusion. In addition, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump became partners in Quantum Leap Energy, which develops nuclear fuel isotopes. Call these things what you will. The timing of the investments raises questions about potential conflicts of interest for a sitting president and members of his family.

Part of the push to expand nuclear power is changing course for the Duane Arnold Energy Center (DAEC), ceasing its decommissioning process, seeking approval to return to commercial operation, and selling most of its electricity to Google Energy, LLC. The ALARA principle should be considered during the permitting process.

DAEC appears to have remained in compliance with NRC requirements for radioactive emissions during commercial operation. However, new information, outlined in my July 21 post, raises questions about a possible association between DAEC operations and cancer incidence. It would be prudent to investigate links to cancer during plant operations.

As we learn more about our world, our current life processes should consider, and adjust to newly discovered risks. Regarding DAEC, if future research demonstrates that routine radioactive releases permitted under current standards contribute to increased cancer risk, the standards should be changed, and steps taken to keep radiation exposures as low as reasonably achievable. If the role of the ALARA principle is diminished during the current push to expand nuclear generating capacity, it could have direct implications for public health. My petition is filed. We’ll see if it gains favorable attention.

More than at any time in my adult life, a lot is going on with nuclear power. Because some of the technology is new and new concerns about older reactors continue to be raised, people have a lot of questions. The federal government simply needs to evaluate new risks, answer our questions, and mitigate any risks, following the ALARA principle. Whether they will is at present unknown.