Trump’s Nuclear Revival: Will Executive Orders Spark a US Renaissance?

President Donald Trump has recently signed a series of executive orders aimed at revitalizing the United States’ nuclear power industry. This move signifies a bold attempt to reclaim America’s leadership in nuclear energy, a sector that has faced stagnation and decline in recent decades. The executive orders target various aspects of the nuclear industry, from streamlining regulations to promoting innovation and securing domestic fuel supplies. But can these actions truly spark a nuclear renaissance in the US, and what challenges lie ahead?

Trump’s Executive Orders: Aims and Objectives

The executive orders signed by President Trump on May 23, 2025, are designed to address several key issues hindering the growth of the US nuclear power industry. The main objectives include:

• Accelerating Nuclear Construction: The orders aim to expedite the construction of nuclear power plants, including small modular reactors (SMRs) and advanced reactor designs.
• Reducing Regulatory Barriers: A key focus is to streamline the regulatory processes overseen by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to reduce delays and costs associated with licensing and construction.
• Promoting Innovation: The initiatives seek to foster innovation in nuclear technologies, encouraging the development and deployment of advanced reactor designs and fuel cycles.
• Securing Domestic Fuel Supply: The orders aim to rebuild a secure and sovereign domestic nuclear fuel supply chain, reducing reliance on foreign sources.
• Supporting Energy Security: By expanding nuclear power generation, the administration aims to enhance America’s energy security and independence.
• Quadrupling Nuclear Power Production: The plan is to increase nuclear power production fourfold in the next 25 years.

According to the White House, these actions are intended to “strengthen scientific discovery in America, rebuild public trust in science, and accelerate advanced nuclear technologies”. Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated that the orders “unshackle our civil nuclear energy industry” and ensure it can meet the critical moment of surging energy demand.

Key Provisions of the Executive Orders

The executive orders encompass several specific provisions designed to achieve the stated objectives:

1. NRC Reform: The orders direct the NRC to comprehensively revise its regulations and guidance documents within 18 months. This includes establishing fixed deadlines for license evaluations and approvals, such as an 18-month deadline for new reactor construction and operation and a 12-month deadline for continued operation of existing reactors.
2. Modernizing Regulations: The orders call for adopting science-based radiation limits and revising regulations governing compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
3. Expedited Approval Pathways: An expedited pathway is to be established for approving reactor designs that have been safely tested by the Department of Defense (DOD) or Department of Energy (DOE).
4. High-Volume Licensing: The orders seek to establish a process for high-volume licensing of microreactors and modular reactors, including standardized applications.
5. License Term Reconsideration: Regulations limiting license terms are to be reconsidered, with potential extensions as appropriate.
6. NRC Culture Realignment: The NRC is directed to reform its culture and realign its organization to prioritize the promotion of nuclear power while ensuring reactor safety. The NRC is also instructed to consider the benefits of nuclear power to economic and national security in addition to safety, health, and environmental factors.
7. Prioritizing DOE Loan Programs: The Energy Department’s Loan Programs Office is directed to prioritize activities and resources for restarting shuttered plants, increasing output at existing sites, completing unfinished reactors, and building new advanced-nuclear units.
8. Increase Nuclear Energy Capacity: The Order establishes that U.S. policy will seek to facilitate the increased deployment of new nuclear reactor technologies and expand American nuclear energy capacity from around 100 GW today to 400 GW by 2050.

The Current State of Nuclear Energy in the US

Nuclear power has been a significant contributor to the US electricity supply for decades. According to the Department of Energy (DOE), nuclear power has reliably and economically contributed almost 20% of electrical generation in the United States over the past two decades. It remains the single largest contributor (more than 70%) of non-greenhouse-gas-emitting electric power generation in the United States.

As of 2021, the United States had the largest nuclear power plant fleet in the world, with 93 reactors capable of generating approximately 95,522 megawatts (MW) of electricity. However, the US nuclear power industry has faced economic and financial challenges in recent years, particularly in competitive power markets where natural gas and renewable power generators influence wholesale electricity prices.

Since 2012, twelve US nuclear power reactors have permanently closed, with the most recent being Indian Point 3 on April 30, 2021. These closed reactors had a combined electric generating capacity of 9,436 MW, nearly 10% of the total capacity of current US reactors. While some planned shutdowns have been averted through state interventions and subsidies, many other US reactors have been identified as being “at risk” of shutdown for economic reasons.

The Promise of Advanced Reactor Technologies

A key aspect of President Trump’s initiative is the promotion of advanced reactor technologies, including small modular reactors (SMRs) and other innovative designs. These advanced reactors offer several potential advantages over traditional large-scale nuclear power plants:

• Enhanced Safety: Many advanced reactor designs incorporate passive safety systems that rely on natural forces, such as gravity and convection, to shut down the reactor in the event of an emergency, reducing the risk of accidents.
• Improved Efficiency: Advanced reactors can operate at higher temperatures and use more efficient fuel cycles, leading to increased electricity generation and reduced waste.
• Greater Versatility: SMRs can be made in factories and transported to sites for “plug and play” deployment, reducing capital costs and construction times. Their smaller size makes them suitable for small electric grids and locations that cannot support large reactors.
• Waste Management: Some advanced reactor designs focus on addressing nuclear waste management by utilizing used nuclear fuel as a fuel source, reducing the amount of long-lived radioactive waste.
• Non-electric Applications: Advanced reactors can be used for non-electric applications such as water desalination, hydrogen production, and industrial heat generation, further enhancing their versatility and economic viability.

Several companies are actively developing advanced reactor technologies, including NuScale Power, GE Hitachi, Oklo, TerraPower, and Last Energy Inc. These companies are pursuing various designs, such as light-water SMRs, fast reactors, molten salt reactors, and high-temperature gas reactors.

Challenges and Obstacles

While President Trump’s executive orders and the promise of advanced reactor technologies offer hope for a nuclear renaissance in the US, several challenges and obstacles must be addressed:

1. Economic Competitiveness: Nuclear power plants, particularly traditional large-scale reactors, face economic challenges due to high capital costs, long construction times, and competition from lower-cost natural gas and renewable energy sources.
2. Regulatory Hurdles: The regulatory processes for licensing and constructing nuclear power plants in the US are complex and time-consuming, leading to delays and increased costs.
3. Public Perception: Public perception of nuclear energy remains a challenge, with concerns about safety, waste disposal, and the potential for accidents.
4. Waste Disposal: The lack of a permanent radioactive waste disposal site in the US remains a significant obstacle. Spent nuclear fuel is currently stored at reactor sites, awaiting a long-term disposal solution.
5. Fuel Supply Chain: Rebuilding a secure domestic nuclear fuel supply chain will require significant investment and policy support.
6. Financing: Securing financing for new nuclear projects can be challenging, given the high upfront costs and long payback periods.
7. Competition from Renewables: The declining costs of renewable energy technologies, such as solar and wind, pose a competitive threat to nuclear power.

The Path Forward

To overcome these challenges and realize the potential of a nuclear renaissance in the US, a multifaceted approach is needed:

• Streamlining Regulations: The NRC must implement the reforms directed by the executive orders to streamline the licensing and construction processes, reducing delays and costs.
• Providing Financial Incentives: The government should provide financial incentives, such as tax credits, loan guarantees, and subsidies, to support the construction and operation of new nuclear power plants.
• Addressing Waste Disposal: A long-term solution for radioactive waste disposal must be found, either through the establishment of a permanent disposal site or the development of advanced recycling technologies.
• Engaging the Public: Efforts must be made to educate the public about the benefits of nuclear energy and address concerns about safety and waste disposal.
• Supporting Innovation: Continued investment in research and development of advanced reactor technologies is essential to improve safety, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.
• Fostering Collaboration: Collaboration between government, industry, and research institutions is crucial to accelerate the development and deployment of new nuclear technologies.
• Workforce Development: Investment in safety training and workforce development.

Conclusion

President Trump’s executive orders represent a significant step toward reviving the US nuclear power industry and reclaiming American leadership in this critical sector. By streamlining regulations, promoting innovation, and securing domestic fuel supplies, these initiatives have the potential to unlock the vast potential of nuclear energy as a clean, reliable, and secure source of power.

However, realizing this vision will require sustained commitment and a collaborative effort from government, industry, and the public. Addressing the economic, regulatory, and public perception challenges facing the nuclear industry is essential to creating a favorable environment for investment and growth.

If these challenges can be overcome, the US can usher in a new era of nuclear energy, ensuring a clean, secure, and prosperous energy future for generations to come.