New Mexico lawmakers warn of ‘urgent threat’ over federal nuclear oversight shortfalls

[Marlin]

New Mexico lawmakers warn of 'urgent threat' over federal nuclear oversight shortfalls

https://sourcenm.com/2026/09/17/new-mexico-lawmakers-warn-of-urgent-threat-over-federal-nuclear-oversight-shortfalls/

[Core Content]

A New Mexico legislative committee sent letters to federal officials demanding the reversal of recent Department of Energy safety directive rollbacks. Lawmakers expressed concern that weakened emergency preparedness rules and restricted access for the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board jeopardize facility workers. The committee urged the administration to restore independent oversight and refill empty safety board seats to ensure proper operational safety.

New Mexico lawmakers warned of 'urgent threat' over federal deregulation of nuclear directives and blocking of oversight agency.

A bipartisan committee of the New Mexico Legislature on Wednesday warned that two developments in the federal government's nuclear administration — the rollback of safety requirements and the obstruction of independent safety oversight — have created an "urgent threat" to workers, communities and national security.

The Legislature's Radioactive and Hazardous Materials Committee unanimously approved letters from its chair, state Sen. Jeff Steinborn (D-Las Cruces), to U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright and one to both Wright and President Donald Trump calling for immediate federal intervention to address nuclear safety concerns. The letters, which the committee announced in a news release, also were sent to the state's congressional delegation, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and other state officials.

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https://sourcenm.com/2026/09/17/new-mexico-lawmakers-warn-of-urgent-threat-over-federal-nuclear-oversight-shortfalls/