Nuclear energy regulators roll back security drill requirements

## Summary
Energy & Environment Nuclear energy regulators roll back security drill requirements Comments: by Rachel Frazin - 04/07/26 4:19 PM ET Comments: Link copied by Rachel Frazin - 04/07/26 4:19 PM ET Comments: Link copied NOW PLAYING The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has voted to no longer lead security drills at power plants, instead allowing companies to lead their own drills in the coming years. In a statement, the commission said the change “reflects the strong safety and security already in place at U.S. nuclear plants.” “Current NRC led drills will continue through the triennial cycle, after which licensees will conduct the exercises with independent NRC oversight,” the statement said. It also noted that drills will also shift from a “pass/fail model to a training-focused approach.” Edwin Lyman, director of nuclear power safety at the Union of Concerned Scientists, criticized the changes. “It would essentially make those inspections of very limited value, and would not allow the NRC to really… look under the hood and really test the weak points of the security system,” Lyman said. “Overall, there would be just a decrease in the readiness of nuclear plants to protect against terrorist attacks,” he said. Comments: Link copied More Energy & Environment News See All International Kuwait tells citizens to stay home as Trump’s Iran deadline looms by Max Rego 37 minutes ago International / 37 minutes ago Energy & Environment Why Kharg Island is a strategic focus as Iran war escalates by Max Rego 1 hour ago Energy & Environment / 1 hour ago Energy & Environment MAP: Some states see highest-ever diesel prices as gas averages near records by Addy Bink 3 hours ago Energy & Environment / 3 hours ago Energy & Environment Oil prices jump as Trump Iran deadline approaches, following Kharg Island attack by Rachel Frazin 6 hours ago Energy & Environment / 6 hours ago See All Video/Hill.TV See all Hill.TV See all Video THE HILL TV Rising: April 7, 2026 by TheHill.com 04/07/26 12:25 PM ET THE HILL TV / 4 hours ago THE HILL TV Rising: April 6, 2026 by TheHill.com 1 day ago THE HILL TV / 1 day ago THE HILL TV Rising: April 3, 2026 by TheHill.com 4 days ago THE HILL TV / 4 days ago See all Hill.TV See all Video Top Stories See All International China, Russia sink UN vote on Strait of Hormuz; 10 countries join US in support by Sophie Brams 2 hours ago International / 2 hours ago See All Most Popular China, Russia sink UN vote on Strait of Hormuz; 10 countries join US in support Spanberger drop in approval rating ‘stunning’: Sabato Democrats call for Trump’s removal over threat against Iran Trump’s gone too far: Invoke the 25th Amendment before it’s too late Graham: Iran will suffer 'massive military attack' Tuesday night without ...

## Article Content
Energy & Environment
Nuclear energy regulators roll back security drill requirements
Comments:
by
Rachel Frazin
- 04/07/26 4:19 PM ET
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by
Rachel Frazin
- 04/07/26 4:19 PM ET
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Link copied
NOW PLAYING
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has voted to no longer lead security drills at power plants, instead allowing companies to lead their own drills in the coming years.
Last week, the commission
decided to transition to company-led drills
rather than agency-led ones to assess the nuclear energy fleet’s preparation for attacks.
The drills in question, known as
force-on-force inspections
, are meant to test the security of power plants and ultimately prevent sabotage.
The transition to corporate-led drills will happen in 2028.
In a statement, the commission said the change “reflects the strong safety and security already in place at U.S. nuclear plants.”
“Current NRC led drills will continue through the triennial cycle, after which licensees will conduct the exercises with independent NRC oversight,” the statement said.
It also noted that drills will also shift from a “pass/fail model to a training-focused approach.”
Edwin Lyman, director of nuclear power safety at the Union of Concerned Scientists, criticized the changes.
“It would essentially make those inspections of very limited value, and would not allow the NRC to really… look under the hood and really test the weak points of the security system,” Lyman said.
“Overall, there would be just a decrease in the readiness of nuclear plants to protect against terrorist attacks,” he said.
The NRC is made up of presidentially-appointed commissioners who serve five year terms. While the commission, unlike many other federal agencies, is technically independent from the White House, the Trump administration has sought to influence it.
Last year, President Trump
fired
one Democratic commissioner and
signed an executive order overhauling the commission
in a bid to increase the country’s nuclear energy capacity.
The commission is also
considering a rewrite
of additional nuclear safety regulations.
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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
- In a statement, the commission said the change “reflects the strong safety and security already in place at U.S. nuclear plants.” “Current NRC led drills will continue through the triennial cycle, after which licensees will conduct the exercises with independent NRC oversight,” the statement said.

### Areas for Consideration
- Comments: Link copied More Energy & Environment News See All International Kuwait tells citizens to stay home as Trump’s Iran deadline looms by Max Rego 37 minutes ago International / 37 minutes ago Energy & Environment Why Kharg Island is a strategic focus as Iran war escalates by Max Rego 1 hour ago Energy & Environment / 1 hour ago Energy & Environment MAP: Some states see highest-ever diesel prices as gas averages near records by Addy Bink 3 hours ago Energy & Environment / 3 hours ago Energy & Environment Oil prices jump as Trump Iran deadline approaches, following Kharg Island attack by Rachel Frazin 6 hours ago Energy & Environment / 6 hours ago See All Video/Hill.TV See all Hill.TV See all Video THE HILL TV Rising: April 7, 2026 by TheHill.com 04/07/26 12:25 PM ET THE HILL TV / 4 hours ago THE HILL TV Rising: April 6, 2026 by TheHill.com 1 day ago THE HILL TV / 1 day ago THE HILL TV Rising: April 3, 2026 by TheHill.com 4 days ago THE HILL TV / 4 days ago See all Hill.TV See all Video Top Stories See All International China, Russia sink UN vote on Strait of Hormuz; 10 countries join US in support by Sophie Brams 2 hours ago International / 2 hours ago See All Most Popular China, Russia sink UN vote on Strait of Hormuz; 10 countries join US in support Spanberger drop in approval rating ‘stunning’: Sabato Democrats call for Trump’s removal over threat against Iran Trump’s gone too far: Invoke the 25th Amendment before it’s too late Graham: Iran will suffer 'massive military attack' Tuesday night without ...
- Alex Jones slams Trump’s ominous Iran threat: ‘That is the definition of ...

### Implications
- Energy & Environment Nuclear energy regulators roll back security drill requirements Comments: by Rachel Frazin - 04/07/26 4:19 PM ET Comments: Link copied by Rachel Frazin - 04/07/26 4:19 PM ET Comments: Link copied NOW PLAYING The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has voted to no longer lead security drills at power plants, instead allowing companies to lead their own drills in the coming years.
- The transition to corporate-led drills will happen in 2028.
- In a statement, the commission said the change “reflects the strong safety and security already in place at U.S. nuclear plants.” “Current NRC led drills will continue through the triennial cycle, after which licensees will conduct the exercises with independent NRC oversight,” the statement said.
- It also noted that drills will also shift from a “pass/fail model to a training-focused approach.” Edwin Lyman, director of nuclear power safety at the Union of Concerned Scientists, criticized the changes. “It would essentially make those inspections of very limited value, and would not allow the NRC to really… look under the hood and really test the weak points of the security system,” Lyman said. “Overall, there would be just a decrease in the readiness of nuclear plants to protect against terrorist attacks,” he said.

### Expert Commentary
This article covers ago, trump, energy topics. Notable strengths include discussion of ago. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 772.