U.S. President Donald Trump has signed the first executive orders aimed at reviving the nuclear industry, streamlining regulatory approval for new reactors and strengthening nuclear fuel supply chains.
Facing the first significant surge in energy demand in over 20 years—driven by the AI boom—Trump declared an energy emergency on his first day back in office.
Nuclear reactor licensing in the U.S. can take over a decade, prioritizing safety but severely delaying plant construction. Trump’s orders seek to shorten these timelines.
“With these actions, President Trump is sending a message to the world: America will rebuild, and the nuclear renaissance can begin,” said Michael Kratsios, Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
Key measures include:
- A major restructuring of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)
- Collaboration between the Departments of Energy and Defense to build nuclear plants on federal land
- Installation of reactors on military bases
- Revitalizing domestic uranium production and enrichment
While Trump has primarily focused on fossil fuels, his administration is now backing nuclear power—a field gaining bipartisan support.
