Trump orders seek to speed reactor construction on commercial, defense sites

As expected, President Donald Trump May 23 signed a set of executive orders designed to speed licensing of nuclear power reactors, both commercially and on federal installations, limit review by an independent nuclear regulator and beef up  the industry’s U.S. industrial base.

Here is a thumbnail overview of each of the May 23 orders. 

Overhauling the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC): The administration has the ambitious goal of increasing nuclear power capacity to 400 gigawatts from the current level 100 gigawatts by 2050. The order wants a deadline of no more than 18 months for a final decision on an application to construct and operate a new reactor “of any type.” A license extension application should take no more than a year, according to the order. “Reforming the NRC’s culture” is central to this task. The order says NRC will consult with the Department of Government Efficiency on ways to revamp the organization to hasten license approvals. A team of at least 20 officials will “draft the new regulations. The order will de-emphasize the current role of the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards (ACRS).

Revising Department of Energy reactor testing: The Trump order sets up a pilot program outside the national laboratories for advanced test reactors with a goal of three of them reaching criticality by July 4, 2026. It also calls for various studies to speed test reactor approval. Test reactors would not be aimed at generating electricity, but rather demonstrating technology. 

Deploying advanced reactors for national security: This Trump order is wide-ranging. For starters, the secretary of defense, through the U.S. Army, “shall commence the operation of a nuclear reactor, regulated by the United States Army, at a domestic military base or installation” by Sept. 30, 2028. It also encourages nuclear use at DOE installations, creates programs to bolster nuclear technology exports and support programs for high assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU). It also limits environmental review and prioritizes issuance of clearances for “the rapid distribution and use of nuclear energy and fuel cycle technologies.”

Reinvigorating the nuclear industrial base: This Trump order calls for a major nuclear expansion study within 240 days. The study would, among other things, include looking at voluntary agreements on “the recycling and reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel, to ensure the continued reliable operation of the nation’s nuclear reactors.”

Unlike laws passed by Congress, executive orders can be modified or undone by future presidents.

The United States is the international leader in nuclear power generation, according to the World Nuclear Association. Southern Co.’ s  Vogtle 3 in Georgia was connected to the grid in April 2023, followed by unit 4 in March 2024, making them the newest reactors in the United States, according to the association.

According to the Energy Information Administration, nuclear’s share of U.S. electricity generation has declined in recent years in part due to competition from natural gas and renewable energy sources with lower upfront costs.