In an ambitious move to revitalize the nuclear energy sector, President Trump recently issued a series of Executive Orders aimed at enhancing nuclear reactor technologies and expanding projects across the United States.
These orders, titled ‘Reinvigorating the Nuclear Industrial Base’, ‘Reforming Nuclear Reactor Testing at the Department of Energy’, ‘Ordering the Reform of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’, and ‘Deploying Advanced Nuclear Reactor Technologies for National Security’, reflect a significant governmental push to reestablish the U.S. as a global leader in nuclear energy.
With a focus on developing new reactor technologies, these Executive Orders also seek to strengthen national uranium mining and incentivize private investments within the nuclear sector, paving the way for American nuclear energy exports.
However, these ambitious plans face challenges.
The House of Representatives recently passed a budget bill that limits the availability of most tax credits outside of the nuclear energy sector, a measure that may affect the broader context of clean energy investments.
The Executive Orders mandate various governmental agencies to assess the current state of nuclear fuel management, waste disposal, and uranium conversion capacity and to recommend policies aimed at enhancing these areas.
Another key focus is to streamline regulatory processes, with an emphasis on expediting the licensing approval process for new nuclear reactors while ensuring efficient construction and operational protocols.
This energy strategy aligns with national security interests, as nuclear energy becomes increasingly crucial for energy-intensive industries, including data centers for artificial intelligence.
According to the International Energy Agency, data centers in regions like China and the U.S. will account for nearly 80% of global electricity consumption growth by 2030.
The resurgence of nuclear energy, which many describe as a ‘dramatic comeback,’ underscores the need to rebuild not only supply chains but also workforce capabilities within the sector.
Historic nuclear vendors like Westinghouse and GE-Hitachi, along with national laboratories such as Idaho and Oak Ridge, as well as innovative start-ups like Holtec and NuScale, are at the forefront of reactor development.
Over 20 small modular reactor (SMR) designs are currently in development in the U.S., alongside nearly 15 start-up companies innovating in this field.
The ‘Reinvigorating the Nuclear Industrial Base’ Executive Order specifically suggests strengthening educational pathways in the nuclear industry and boosting funding for nuclear-related projects.
The Secretary of Energy, through the Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office, will be urged to focus on restarting closed nuclear plants, improving operational output of existing facilities, and ultimately advancing the nuclear fuel supply chain.
The Executive Order mandates that qualified advanced nuclear reactor technologies receive prioritized funding through grants, loans, and other financial opportunities.
By the end of the year, the Secretary of Energy and the Administrator of the Small Business Administration must identify and prioritize funding mechanisms to facilitate these advancements.
One notable initiative introduced is the DOE’s Generation III+ SMR program, allocating up to $900 million to stimulate the deployment of advanced nuclear reactors.
Additionally, the Secretary of Energy, in collaboration with other agencies, is instructed to prepare a report by January 2026 covering management strategies for nuclear fuel, high-level waste, decommissioning existing reactors, and developing innovative transport methods for nuclear materials.
The current regulatory landscape reflects an urgent need for improvements as well.
The termination of the Yucca Mountain project—a proposed deep geological repository for nuclear waste—means that the U.S. lacks a viable long-term waste disposal solution, as highlighted globally by other countries like Finland and France, who currently lead in establishing such repositories.
On a related note, the Secretary of Energy is also tasked with crafting a plan to boost domestic uranium conversion and enrichment capacity to address both civilian and defense reactor needs, an effort that complements the Prohibiting Russian Uranium Imports Act of 2024.
The recent Executive Orders on ‘Reforming Nuclear Reactor Testing at the Department of Energy’ and ‘Deploying Advanced Nuclear Reactor Technologies for National Security’ further underscore the pivotal role that civilian nuclear power offers, especially concerning national security.
These Orders seek to improve nuclear reactor infrastructure and elevate U.S. nuclear exports to broaden access in global markets.
The Secretary of Energy is directed to expedite the regulatory framework for the review and approval of advanced test reactors, facilitating streamlined processes to support timely deployment.
Establishing a pilot program for reactor construction outside National Laboratories is also on the agenda, with goals for at least three reactors achieving criticality by July 4, 2026.
In a strategic move, the Secretary of State is called upon to secure at least 20 Agreements for Peaceful Nuclear Cooperation by January 2029 to enable U.S. access to new markets, thereby capitalizing on the Government’s resources to promote American nuclear technology globally.
The emphasis on timely approvals extends to technology transfer export authorization requests, which must be processed within 30 days, a significant acceleration of the previous timelines.
Reforms at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) are also included in the mix.
The NRC has previously been charged under the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act and the ADVANCE Act to enhance the efficiency and reduce costs related to advanced nuclear reactor licensing.
New directives from the Executive Orders aim to instruct the NRC to consider the economic and security benefits of increased nuclear power while evaluating regulatory functions.
These reforms seek to simplify the licensing process and establish fixed deadlines for evaluations, thereby enhancing efficiency.
The ‘Ordering the Reform of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’ Executive Order is grounded in the administration’s overarching objectives to ensure regulatory consistency and alignment with presidential policies.
Moreover, as part of the budgetary landscape, the recently passed ‘One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act’ in the House of Representatives significantly alters the availability of tax credits across various energy sectors.
Specifically, the budget bill seeks to repeal numerous clean energy tax credits previously offered under the Inflation Reduction Act, while ensuring the nuclear project §45U tax credit remains intact through to 2031.
This maneuver allows nuclear projects to benefit from tax incentives even amidst restrictions on other energy sectors, which could further solidify the nuclear industry’s footing.
As the landscape of nuclear energy continues to evolve under these Executive Orders and legislative adjustments, it is clear that bolstering the sector remains a national priority, directly linked to energy independence and economic security.
The proactive approach indicated by these initiatives outlines a comprehensive framework aimed at revitalizing the U.S. nuclear energy landscape while maintaining a focus on global competitiveness and environmental responsibility.
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