In brief
Trump's latest actions signal a pivotal shift in U.S. energy policy, emphasizing nuclear power's role in meeting electricity demands and reducing emissions.
On May 23, 2025, President Trump introduced a series of executive orders designed to hasten the construction of nuclear power plants across the United States. The directives focus on expediting the approval process for a new generation of small, advanced reactors that, while promising, have yet to undergo extensive real-world testing. One significant order mandates that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (N.R.C.) must issue decisions on new reactor applications within an 18-month timeframe. Another directive instructs the Department of Energy and the Department of Defense to investigate options for locating reactors on federal land and military installations, which could allow these departments to create their approval processes, potentially streamlining construction."This is a monumental day for the nuclear sector," declared Interior Secretary Doug Burgum during the signing ceremony in the Oval Office. "Today marks the beginning of reversing decades of excessive regulation." In his early days in office, Trump had already labeled the situation a “national energy emergency,” highlighting a growing electricity deficit, particularly for data centers crucial to artificial intelligence. Although Trump's previous regulatory focus has been on bolstering coal, oil, and natural gas, his administration acknowledges the potential of nuclear energy.Nuclear power has secured bipartisan support in Congress, with some Democrats overcoming earlier hesitations related to safety and waste disposal concerns. Increasingly, many Democrats recognize nuclear energy's role in reducing harmful emissions, while Republicans appreciate its reliability compared to intermittent renewable sources like wind and solar.
