Professor John Robertson OBA

From the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists yesterday:

In a May executive order, aimed at ushering in what he described as an “American nuclear renaissance,” President Donald Trump declared moot the science underpinning decades-old radiation exposure standards set by the federal government. Executive Order 14300 directed the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to conduct a “wholesale revision” of half-a-century of guidance and regulations. In doing so, it considers throwing out the foundational model used by the government to determine exposure limits, and investigates the possibility of loosening the standard on what is considered a “safe” level of radiation exposure for the general public. In a statement to the Bulletin, NRC spokesperson Scott Burnell confirmed that the NRC is reconsidering the standards long relied upon to guide exposure limits.

Now, some radiology and policy experts are sounding alarm bells, calling the directive a dangerous departure from a respected framework that has been followed and consistently reinforced by scientific review for generations. They warn that under some circumstances, the effects of the possible new limits could range from “undeniably homicidal” to “catastrophic” for those living close to nuclear operations and beyond.

https://thebulletin.org/2025/11/trumps-new-radiation-exposure-limits-could-be-catastrophic-for-women-and-girls/

Mostly, the above kind of thing would make you worry that Labour might ape this US error. Too late , they had similar plans last February!

From Sir Keir Starmer via GOV.UK on 6 February 2025:

More nuclear power plants will be approved across England and Wales as the Prime Minister slashes red tape to get Britain building – as part of his Plan for Change.

Reforms to planning rules will clear a path for smaller, and easier to build nuclear reactors – known as Small Modular Reactors –to be built for the first time ever in the UK. This will create thousands of new highly skilled jobs while delivering clean, secure and more affordable energy for working people.

This is the latest refusal to accept the status quo, with the government ripping up archaic rules and saying no to the NIMBYs, to prioritise growth. It comes after recent changes to planning laws, the scrapping of the 3-strike rule for judicial reviews on infrastructure projects, and application of common-sense to environmental rules.

For too long the country has been mired by delay and obstruction, with a system too happy to label decisions as too difficult, or too long term. The UK was the first country in the world to develop a nuclear reactor, but the last time a nuclear power station was built was back in 1995. None have been built since, leaving the UK lagging behind in a global race to harness cleaner, more affordable energy.

The industry pioneered in Britain has been suffocated by regulations and this saw investment collapse, leaving only one nuclear power plant – Hinkley Point C – under construction. And this was after years of delay caused by unnecessary rules – meaning companies produced a 30,000-page environmental assessment to get planning permission.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-rips-up-rules-to-fire-up-nuclear-power

What are the risks? Just these:

Stanford research finds Labour’s preferred small modular reactors will produce even more highly radioactive nuclear waste

How Starmer, backed by Sarwar, want new mini nuclear power stations in Scotland that cause more cancer, more waste, depend on Russian fuel, cost more and now cannot be protected against terrorism

Massive recent research study finds significantly higher risks for ALL cancers, especially among the under-5s, in those living less than 20 miles from nuclear power stations to show Scottish Labour’s support for them as a betrayal

Radioactive tritium emissions which ‘slam into’ your DNA, DOUBLE around Clyde nuclear sub base

Recent research reported in the Lancet suggests that Labour’s plans to impose new nuclear plants in Scotland risks increased leukaemia spikes amongst workers and children living nearby

Latest – Scottish Labour policy challenged as new research reviewing more than 2 000 studies finds increased risk of thyroid cancer for those living near nuclear power plants

Might Scottish Labour resist this? Where’s that crying with laughter emoticon?