President Donald Trump has signed a set of executive orders aimed at reviving and reshaping the U.S. nuclear energy industry. The orders, signed on May 23, 2025, are designed to speed up reactor development, reduce regulatory hurdles, boost domestic uranium production, and overhaul the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).
These actions occur as global competition for energy increases. There are also concerns about national security. Plus, the world needs more low-carbon power sources for data centers and defense infrastructure. The administration and industry leaders praised the move, but some scientists and safety groups are worried.
Michael Kratsios, White House Office of Science and Technology Director, remarked:
“…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. These actions are critical to American energy independence and continued dominance in AI and other emerging technologies.”
Fast-Tracking a Nuclear Comeback
Trump’s executive orders aim to “usher in a nuclear renaissance,” according to the White House. One of the core goals is to remove regulatory bottlenecks that have slowed down the construction of nuclear reactors for decades.
Key changes include:
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Accelerating testing of advanced reactor designs at the Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratories.
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Allowing the DOE and Department of Defense (DOD) to build reactors on federal lands—including military bases—to have at least one new reactor operational at a domestic military installation by September 30, 2028.
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Mandating the NRC to approve new reactor licenses within 18 months, a sharp reduction from the current process, which can take up to a decade.
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Launching a pilot program to build new reactors within two years, focusing on advanced technologies like small modular reactors (SMRs) and microreactors
Trump said in the Oval Office, “We’re signing big executive orders today. They will make us the real power in this industry.”
The orders aim to quadruple U.S. nuclear capacity by 2050, increasing it from 100 gigawatts to 400 gigawatts. To achieve this, they will use new reactor technologies, like modular and microreactors, and expand the domestic fuel cycle.
Modernizing and Rewiring the NRC
One of the most controversial changes involves reforming the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The NRC, which oversees nuclear safety and licensing, will undergo what the White House calls a “substantial reorganization.”
The executive order says the NRC’s staffing and structure are “misaligned” with its mission. It also criticizes the agency for being too cautious about risks. It directs the NRC to revise its guidelines within 18 months and adopt “science-based radiation limits.”
The new order also allows for high-volume licensing of microreactors and modular reactors through standardized applications. Moreover, it will create expedited pathways for advanced reactor designs that the DOE or DOD has safely tested.
Critics argue this could weaken the agency’s independence and compromise safety. Edwin Lyman, the nuclear safety director at the Union of Concerned Scientists, warned that the orders may lead to a serious accident. He believes they promote ways that bypass normal safety reviews.
Despite these concerns, industry groups support the reforms. The Nuclear Energy Institute said these orders would help create a “reliable, affordable, and cleaner energy system.”
Boosting Domestic Fuel and Security
Another order focuses on rebuilding the U.S. nuclear fuel supply chain, especially uranium mining and enrichment. The U.S. has relied on foreign sources, especially Russia, for enriched uranium. This supply has been stopped since the invasion of Ukraine.
Additionally, the International Energy Agency (IEA) has warned that the recent surge in global nuclear development is “heavily reliant” on Chinese and Russian technologies. Since 2017, 92% of all newly started reactor construction projects worldwide have used designs from China or Russia.
Meanwhile, countries like France are falling behind, facing challenges in updating older reactors and financing new projects that often encounter delays and budget overruns. While the U.S. is not even included in the list.
And thus, Trump’s new orders call for:
- Restarting domestic uranium mining and enrichment
- Expanding conversion and enrichment capacity
- Supporting small modular reactors to power military bases and AI data centers
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum linked these steps to broader strategic goals. He emphasized the connection between energy independence and national defense.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth supported the move, saying small nuclear reactors could make U.S. military operations more reliable globally.
Industry Reaction: Optimism with Caution
The U.S. nuclear industry has broadly welcomed the executive orders. Joseph Dominguez, CEO of Constellation Energy, runs the largest nuclear fleet in the U.S. He said the administration is taking “common sense initiatives.” These will modernize regulations and encourage investment.
Constellation plans to spend billions to relicense its plants. They aim to boost output by up to 1,000 megawatts. The company’s stocks skyrocketed following Trump’s EO announcement.
Constellation Energy Stocks Rally
Other industry groups, such as the U.S. Nuclear Industry Council, praised the orders. They welcomed the changes for speeding up permits and boosting fuel production.
However, not all responses were positive. Judi Greenwald, CEO of the Nuclear Innovation Alliance, expressed concerns that staffing cuts and overlapping mandates could disrupt progress.
“The NRC is already making progress on reform,” she said, referencing the 2024 ADVANCE Act, which set modernization goals for the agency.
What’s on the Horizon for U.S. Nuclear?
The White House sees nuclear power as key to providing electricity for defense, AI computing, and climate resilience. The move also reflects a push to gain a competitive edge in nuclear technology exports.
But the plan’s success depends on balancing innovation with public trust and safety. The Union of Concerned Scientists warned that rushing deployment without good oversight could backfire. This may harm the industry’s long-term reputation.
The NRC has said it is reviewing the executive orders and will work with the DOE and DOD on implementation. The agency added that it will continue to enforce safety requirements even as it modernizes.
Trump’s administration aims to begin testing and deploying new reactors within his current term. The timeline shows quick policy action, especially if pilot projects start on federal lands in the next two years.
Meanwhile, nuclear energy remains a central part of U.S. energy and security conversations. With help from the DOE, defense agencies, and private companies, these executive orders might start a new era for American nuclear power.
Whether these moves spark a true “nuclear renaissance” or stir public debate will depend on how the orders are implemented—and how stakeholders respond in the coming months.
