Trump Orders Nuclear Power Expansion With Fast-Track Approvals/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Trump signed executive orders to boost nuclear power production and fast-track reactor approvals. The move shifts authority from federal regulators to the Energy Secretary, sparking safety concerns. Trump aims to quadruple U.S. nuclear output within 25 years—an ambitious and contested goal.
Trump’s Nuclear Power Push + Quick Looks
- Trump signs orders to quadruple U.S. nuclear energy output by 2050.
- Shift in reactor approval power from NRC to Energy Department.
- Pilot program seeks 3 new reactors operational by July 2026.
- Defense Production Act invoked to secure domestic uranium supply.
- Nuclear currently produces 19% of U.S. electricity.
- Critics warn plan endangers safety, undermines regulation.
- Industry praises plan as breakthrough for innovation and growth.
Trump Orders Nuclear Power Expansion With Fast-Track Approvals
Deep Look
WASHINGTON — In a bold attempt to reboot America’s nuclear industry, President Donald Trump on Friday signed a sweeping set of executive orders aimed at quadrupling the nation’s nuclear power output over the next 25 years. While industry insiders celebrated the announcement as a long-awaited jolt, experts and critics warned it could come at the expense of nuclear safety and regulatory independence.
Standing in the Oval Office alongside energy executives and members of his new Energy Dominance Council, Trump called nuclear energy “a hot industry” and vowed that the U.S. would “do it very big.”
Major Changes from the Orders
Trump’s orders shift regulatory authority for certain nuclear projects from the independent Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to the Department of Energy (DOE). This change allows the Energy Secretary to fast-track next-generation reactor designs, bypassing what Trump officials call “decades of overregulation.”
The orders include:
- An 18-month deadline for nuclear project application reviews.
- A pilot program to deploy 3 experimental reactors by July 4, 2026.
- Use of the Defense Production Act to boost domestic uranium supply.
- Evaluations of restarting closed plants and siting reactors on federal land and military bases.
“This is going to turn back 50 years of regulatory excess,” said Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, who chairs the Energy Dominance Council.
Why Now? AI and Grid Demands
The push comes as AI, data centers, and electrification spike power demands across the U.S. Trump officials say the current grid can’t keep up, and nuclear is the only scalable, carbon-free solution.
“What we do in the next five years related to electricity will shape the next 50,” said Burgum.
However, experts are skeptical. The U.S. has no next-gen reactors operating commercially, and only two new reactors have been built in 50 years—both completed years late and billions over budget in Georgia.
Safety Concerns from Former Regulators
Critics argue that the NRC’s independence is vital for public safety and that weakening its authority could lead to dangerous outcomes.
“This is a guillotine to the nation’s nuclear safety system,” said Gregory Jaczko, former NRC chair under Obama.
“The U.S. nuclear industry will fail if safety is not a priority,” added Edwin Lyman from the Union of Concerned Scientists.
While Trump emphasized nuclear’s reliability and low emissions, he avoided any direct mention of its role in fighting climate change, a topic he rarely engages with.
Industry Reaction: “Watershed Moment”
Industry leaders hailed the move as a breakthrough. Oklo CEO Jacob DeWitte even brought a golf ball to the Oval Office to illustrate how much uranium is needed to power one person for life.
“It doesn’t get better than that,” Trump replied.
Radiant Nuclear COO Tori Shivanandan called the orders a “watershed moment,” saying they would revive innovation in a field long stymied by red tape.
International Context
Nations like China and Canada are moving quickly on small modular reactors (SMRs), with Canada already beginning construction on one of four SMRs this year. U.S. companies like Valar Atomics and Radiant Nuclear argue that America is falling behind due to burdensome reviews and delayed licensing.
Trump’s new directives aim to accelerate this process—orders that now put DOE, not the NRC, at the center of innovation.
What’s Next?
The NRC has not publicly objected but said it will “comply with directives.” However, the orders raise unresolved legal questions around the Atomic Energy Act and whether the White House has overstepped its bounds.
With 94 reactors currently operating, nuclear makes up 19% of the U.S. electricity mix, compared to 60% for fossil fuels and 21% from renewables, according to the EIA. Trump’s goal? Push that number to 75%+ in 25 years.
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