On Friday, President Donald Trump enacted a series of executive orders with the aim of propelling the United States into a "nuclear renaissance." The orders, announced via Trump's Truth Social account, seek to establish the country as a leader in advanced nuclear technology by accelerating nuclear reactor testing, reforming regulatory frameworks, and bolstering the domestic nuclear industry.
The first order, "Reforming Nuclear Reactor Testing at the Department of Energy," intends to dismantle federal barriers that have historically slowed the deployment of advanced reactors. This move is designed to expedite the introduction of these new technologies into the U.S. production sector. The second order mandates a comprehensive restructuring of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to streamline reviews and approvals of nuclear projects. Notably, the NRC will now adhere to strict timelines, including an 18-month deadline for licensing new reactors and a 12-month period for renewals.
A third executive action, "Reinvigorating the Nuclear Industrial Base," directs swift measures to enhance uranium mining, secure supply chains, and prepare the workforce for an expansion in nuclear deployment. Additional provisions in the orders grant the Departments of Energy and Defense the authority to construct nuclear reactors on federally owned land—a strategy aimed at supporting national security and powering essential facilities, such as artificial intelligence data centers.
Trump's administration has set an ambitious target of quadrupling nuclear capacity to 400 gigawatts by 2050, asserting that this goal will generate tens of thousands of high-paying jobs and ensure a steady, cost-effective energy supply for the American people.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, who leads the National Energy Dominance Council, extolled the executive orders, suggesting they would reverse over five decades of excessive regulation and reestablish the U.S. as a global energy leader. Officials underscored the importance of nuclear power in the international competition for AI supremacy, particularly against adversaries like China.
The recent executive actions also leverage the Defense Production Act to guarantee adequate reactor fuel availability and initiate a pilot program to bring three experimental reactors online by July 4, 2026. These measures follow an earlier executive order from February establishing the National Energy Dominance Council to provide counsel on American energy autonomy strategies.
The White House has articulated that these reforms will position the U.S. to compete with antagonistic foreign powers, improve the trade balance, and strengthen alliances. Nuclear energy is responsible for about 20% of the nation's electricity supply. However, only a few new reactors have been constructed in recent decades, primarily due to regulatory and financial obstacles. Trump and his administration contend that these executive orders will release the constraints on American innovation, reconstruct the nuclear industrial base, and secure a future of energy independence and prosperity.
