President Donald Trump signed a set of executive orders on Friday aimed at accelerating the development of nuclear energy in the United States by easing regulatory hurdles around this still contentious technology.
“We’re signing tremendous executive orders today that will position us as a global leader in this industry,” Trump told reporters as he signed four orders in the Oval Office.
The new directives seek to fast-track the construction of new nuclear reactors and increase domestic uranium mining and enrichment, reducing America’s current dependence on imports for this vital fuel.
Trump emphasised that the focus would be on developing smaller reactors, particularly those demanded by tech and artificial intelligence firms with large energy requirements.
Additionally, the orders include a reform of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to ensure decisions on reactor construction are made within 18 months. The White House reportedly considered the regulator too cautious and slow.
Trump rejected concerns that speeding up regulatory approval might jeopardise safety.
“We’re going to move fast but safely,” he said. “It’s time for nuclear energy to take off, and we’re going to do it big.”
This initiative comes following growing interest in nuclear power in the US, despite the high costs and lingering political sensitivity following the 2011 Fukushima disaster in Japan.
“President Trump is taking historic steps to usher in an American nuclear renaissance,” said Michael Kratsios, Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
A senior White House official stated the administration aims to “test and deploy” new reactors before Trump’s second term ends in January 2029.
The executive orders “fundamentally overhaul” the Nuclear Regulatory Commission by cutting regulatory burdens and shortening the licensing process.
Trump, a Republican, declared an “energy emergency” on his first day back in office, expanding oil and gas drilling and reversing many of former President Joe Biden’s climate policies.
Now, nuclear energy is also part of the strategy to meet increasing electricity demand, particularly from US technology giants such as Amazon, Microsoft, and Google, which have recently signed deals to purchase nuclear power as they pursue carbon-free electricity.
Two US energy firms are also working to restart nuclear plants, including the Three Mile Island facility, site of the worst commercial nuclear accident in US history in 1979.
The push to boost domestic uranium mining and enrichment reflects America’s heavy reliance on imports, primarily from Canada, Australia, Russia, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. In 2024, the US banned uranium imports from Russia due to Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
Globally, nuclear power is experiencing a revival as countries seek carbon-neutral energy sources following rising prices, partly caused by the conflict in Ukraine.
However, nuclear energy remains controversial since the Fukushima disaster triggered a downturn, with Germany notably phasing out nuclear power altogether.
