Data from surveys of people living within 50 miles of major U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) sites in 2010, 2011 and 2013 were analyzed to determine if the DOE regained trust lost following the Fukushima-Daiichi nuclear power-plant related events in Japan in March 2011. The data for four important DOE defense sites show that trust has returned to 2010 levels and 65–75% of respondents trust DOE to competently manage existing hazards, manage new facilities, and communicate honestly with them.