Former President Trump's executive orders seek to reactivate the nuclear industry and expedite new reactors amidst a backdrop of energy demand and bipartisan support.
Trump Accelerates Nuclear Power Development with New Executive Orders
Trump Accelerates Nuclear Power Development with New Executive Orders
The latest executive actions aim to streamline nuclear reactor approvals, emphasizing energy needs amid growing demand.
May 23, 2025, 4:00 p.m. ET – In a significant move for the nuclear energy sector, former President Donald Trump issued four executive orders on Friday aimed at expediting the construction of nuclear power plants in the United States. These orders focus primarily on facilitating the development of advanced small reactors, which proponents claim can be deployed more quickly, although their performance remains to be fully validated.
One of the prominent measures mandates the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to expedite its review processes, requiring approvals for new reactor applications to be completed within a maximum of 18 months. Another directive instructs the Energy and Defense Departments to investigate the possibility of situating new reactors on federal lands, including military installations, thus potentially bypassing standard NRC regulations to accelerate approval timelines.
"This is a milestone for the nuclear energy sector," noted Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, who spoke alongside Trump during the signing event at the White House. He remarked, "This day will be remembered as we overturn decades of excessive regulation."
Trump's focus on nuclear energy emerged from his declaration of a "national energy emergency" aimed at addressing the United States' growing electricity demands, particularly highlighting the power needed for data centers associated with artificial intelligence technologies. While the administration has traditionally favored fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas, there has been a marked push for nuclear energy as a supplementary source.
Nuclear power has garnered increasing support across the political spectrum. While some Democrats express reservations concerning safety protocols and nuclear waste management, there is a growing faction willing to consider nuclear energy as a valid option due to its zero carbon emissions. Republicans, on the other hand, endorse its reliability, emphasizing that it provides a constant energy supply unlike intermittent renewable sources like wind and solar.
As these executive actions take effect, the future of nuclear energy in the U.S. may pivot towards enhanced acceptance and integration into the broader energy landscape, even amidst ongoing debates about safety and environmental impact.
One of the prominent measures mandates the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to expedite its review processes, requiring approvals for new reactor applications to be completed within a maximum of 18 months. Another directive instructs the Energy and Defense Departments to investigate the possibility of situating new reactors on federal lands, including military installations, thus potentially bypassing standard NRC regulations to accelerate approval timelines.
"This is a milestone for the nuclear energy sector," noted Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, who spoke alongside Trump during the signing event at the White House. He remarked, "This day will be remembered as we overturn decades of excessive regulation."
Trump's focus on nuclear energy emerged from his declaration of a "national energy emergency" aimed at addressing the United States' growing electricity demands, particularly highlighting the power needed for data centers associated with artificial intelligence technologies. While the administration has traditionally favored fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas, there has been a marked push for nuclear energy as a supplementary source.
Nuclear power has garnered increasing support across the political spectrum. While some Democrats express reservations concerning safety protocols and nuclear waste management, there is a growing faction willing to consider nuclear energy as a valid option due to its zero carbon emissions. Republicans, on the other hand, endorse its reliability, emphasizing that it provides a constant energy supply unlike intermittent renewable sources like wind and solar.
As these executive actions take effect, the future of nuclear energy in the U.S. may pivot towards enhanced acceptance and integration into the broader energy landscape, even amidst ongoing debates about safety and environmental impact.
