PRESS RELEASE — FOR IMMEDIATE USE
Sept. 18, 2025
Greetings —
As a courtesy to our environmental colleagues and former chairman of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Dr. Gregory Jaczko, we provide his remarks pursuant to the proposed U.S./U.K. nuclear power agreements.
As governors and state legislators nationally swoon to intoxicating (and equally vaporous) promises of new nuclear reactors, they would be well served to consult with people like Dr. Jaczko who actually know something about both nuclear power technology, the nuclear industry, and the politics involved.
In the Fall Illinois legislative session, legislation has been prepared to remove the Illinois nuclear construction moratorium at a time when the Trump Administration has decimated the Nuclear Regulatory Commission while quadrupling its upcoming responsibilities, the NRC’s mission mandate to protect the public and the environment has substantially been weakened, radiation protection standards are proposed to be lowered, and renewable energy is under full court assault. The House speakers in Illinois and Ohio have been convicted of nuclear-related corruption. This seems like a really bad time to be considering more nuclear power plants for Illinois — already the most nuclear state in the U.S. with 11 operating reactors.
Please direct questions about Dr. Jaczko’s remarks and position to the source provided. Questions about the proposed Illinois nuclear power moratorium repeal can be directed to NEIS.
Be well,
–Dave Kraft, Director–
For Immediate Release: September 17, 2025
Former U.S. NRC Chairman: U.S.- UK Nuke Deal Is A Stinker
New Atlantic Partnership for Advance Nuclear Energy Mirrors Failed 2006 MDEP Efforts, Won’t Lower Cost of Electricity
WASHINGTON, DC – September 17, 2025 – According to reports, U.S. President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer are expected to sign the Atlantic Partnership for Advanced Nuclear Energy, a bilateral agreement intended to expand nuclear generating capacity both domestically and abroad. In response, Dr. Gregory Jaczko, former chairman (2009-2012) of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), issued the following statement:
“The Atlantic Partnership for Advanced Nuclear Energy between the United States and United Kingdom is a pointless PR effort that weakly mimics the failed 2006 Multinational Design Evaluation Programme (MDEP) initiative. None of it will bring down the cost of electricity for consumers, nor provide sustainable, clean electricity for the future.
“The future of nuclear power in both nations can be summarized simply by the enormous sums of money wasted at Hinkley Point C, Sizewell C and Vogtle units 3+4: all tens of billions over budget and over a decade late. The world needs affordable energy today, not 20 years from now. No amount of handshakes or pledges will change the fundamental challenges of building cost effective, timely nuclear power. ”
Media Contact:
Alex Frank, (703) 276-3264 or afrank@hastingsgroupmedia.com
