The federal government has dismissed Christopher T. Hanson, one of the five members of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), the independent agency responsible for overseeing nuclear reactors in the United States.
The removal was communicated last Friday via an internal White House email, stating that Hanson’s role was “terminated effective immediately.” According to White House representatives, the action is part of an effort to ensure leadership alignment within the Executive Branch.
The NRC stated it can continue its operations despite the vacancy. “The NRC has functioned in the past with fewer than five commissioners and will continue to do so,” the agency said in a public statement.
Hanson, who was appointed in 2020 and reappointed in 2024, described the dismissal as “without cause.” He reaffirmed his commitment to the agency’s independence and bipartisan integrity, and expressed confidence in the commission’s ongoing mission to safeguard public health, safety, and the environment.
His term was originally set to expire in 2029. Following his dismissal, his biography was removed from the NRC’s official website.
This decision comes shortly after the president signed an executive order mandating broad reforms within the NRC. The order calls for a comprehensive review of safety regulations, reductions in agency staffing, and a reexamination of certain radiation protection standards. These changes are part of a broader initiative aimed at revitalizing the domestic nuclear energy industry.
Established by Congress in 1974, the NRC operates under a structure of five presidentially appointed and Senate-confirmed commissioners, each serving five-year terms. The agency has traditionally maintained its regulatory independence and is credited with a strong nuclear safety record.
