President Trump’s executive orders aim to quadruple U.S. nuclear energy capacity by 2050 through sweeping regulatory reforms that will revitalize America’s once-dominant nuclear industry.

At a Glance

• President Trump signed executive orders directing comprehensive reform of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to revive America’s nuclear energy sector
• The reforms include expedited reactor evaluations, revised radiation limits, streamlined environmental regulations, and faster design approvals
• The initiative aims to increase U.S. nuclear capacity from 100 gigawatts to 400 gigawatts by 2050
• These actions seek to restore America’s global leadership in nuclear energy while creating high-paying jobs and strengthening energy independence
• The plan includes rebuilding the domestic nuclear supply chain, from uranium mining to enrichment

Reviving America’s Nuclear Leadership

The United States once led the world in nuclear energy innovation, beginning with President Eisenhower’s “Atoms for Peace” program in the 1950s. However, following the Three Mile Island incident in 1979, increasingly stringent regulations, shifting government priorities, and growing public skepticism effectively halted nuclear development in America. This regulatory stranglehold allowed competitors like China and Russia to surge ahead in nuclear technology and exports, while the U.S. nuclear industrial base withered and domestic uranium production nearly disappeared.

The executive orders mandate the NRC to revise regulations and guidance documents within 18 months, balancing safety considerations with economic and national security benefits. A dedicated team will be created within the NRC specifically to draft these new regulations, marking the most significant nuclear regulatory reform in decades. The reforms directly address longstanding industry complaints about the NRC’s culture and operational approach that have stifled innovation and expansion.

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Comprehensive Regulatory Overhaul

The White House’s directive includes several specific reforms designed to jumpstart nuclear development. Key changes include setting firm deadlines for reactor evaluations, adopting science-based radiation limits aligned with international standards, revising environmental compliance regulations, and expediting reactor design approvals. The NRC is also directed to realign its organizational culture to promote nuclear power development while maintaining safety standards—a significant shift from its traditionally cautious approach.

“Over the last 30 years, we stopped building nuclear reactors in America – that ends now. Today’s executive orders are the most significant nuclear regulatory reform actions taken in decades. We are restoring a strong American nuclear industrial base, rebuilding a secure and sovereign domestic nuclear fuel supply chain, and leading the world towards a future fueled by American nuclear energy.”, said Michael Kratsios, the White House Office of Science and Technology Director.

These reforms will allow reactor design testing at Department of Energy laboratories and construction on federal lands, removing significant barriers to innovation. By requiring the NRC to issue timely licensing decisions, the administration aims to dramatically accelerate deployment of new nuclear technologies that have been languishing in regulatory limbo. The orders also support rebuilding the entire nuclear supply chain, from uranium mining to enrichment, reducing dependence on foreign sources.

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America’s Energy Future and Economic Impact

The administration’s ambitious goal is to quadruple America’s nuclear energy capacity from 100 gigawatts to 400 gigawatts by 2050. This expansion is positioned as essential for meeting growing energy demands, particularly with the rise of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies that require substantial, reliable power. Nuclear energy offers unique advantages as a carbon-free, reliable, and scalable energy source that can operate regardless of weather conditions.

The nuclear initiative is expected to create thousands of high-paying jobs while strengthening American energy independence. This aligns with the administration’s broader energy policy focusing on domestic production, deregulation, and infrastructure development. The executive orders also introduced “Gold Standard Science” principles aimed at rebuilding public trust in the national science enterprise through reproducible, transparent, and peer-reviewed research free from conflicts of interest.

These reforms represent a significant shift in America’s approach to nuclear energy, potentially reversing decades of decline in a sector once dominated by American innovation and leadership. The success of this nuclear renaissance will depend on effective implementation of these regulatory changes and the industry’s ability to deliver new projects safely, on time, and on budget.