Washington — President Donald Trump signed a series of executive orders aimed at boosting nuclear energy production in the United States by reducing regulations and fast-tracking licensing for reactors and power plants. The move seeks to shorten the often decade-long approval process to just 18 months.
The orders include an overhaul of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), reviewing staffing levels, and directing the Energy and Defense Departments to collaborate on building nuclear plants on federal lands. The Department of Defense is expected to play a key role in ordering and installing reactors on military bases.
In addition, the administration aims to revive domestic uranium production and enrichment, critical components for sustaining the nuclear fuel supply chain.
Industry leaders welcomed the changes, with Constellation Energy CEO Joseph Dominguez stating the reforms would help eliminate excessive delays caused by redundant regulatory questions.
Historically, stringent nuclear regulations emerged in response to accidents like the Three Mile Island partial meltdown in 1979 and the Chernobyl disaster in 1986. While these safeguards prioritize safety, they have also discouraged new projects.
The orders also seek to encourage advanced nuclear technologies such as small modular reactors (SMRs), which could be built faster and at lower costs but raise new safety considerations.
Former Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz cautioned that reducing NRC independence could risk rushing reactor deployments, potentially leading to safety incidents that would set back the industry.
Trump declared a national energy emergency earlier this year, citing growing electricity demand driven by data centers and artificial intelligence systems. While his administration has primarily focused on fossil fuels, nuclear power has gained bipartisan support as a low-carbon energy source.
Despite support, cost and competition from cheap natural gas remain significant hurdles. Recent projects like NuScale’s SMR and the Vogtle nuclear plant have faced cost overruns and delays.
The administration plans to use the Loan Programs Office to finance nuclear projects, though recent staff reductions there have raised concerns about its capacity to support new ventures.
The new executive orders reflect the administration’s push to revitalize America’s nuclear industry amid rising energy demands and geopolitical challenges.