United States(US)President Donald Trump has signed a series of executive orders aimed at boosting nuclear energy production in the country, while rolling back regulations. The orders, signed at an Oval Office event, call on the nation’s independent Nuclear Regulatory Commission to cut down on regulations and fast-track new licenses for reactors and power plants. One order requires the body to make decisions on new nuclear reactors within 18 months, significantly reducing a process that can take over a decade.
Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump described the nuclear industry as “hot”. “It’s a brilliant industry. You have to do it right,” he said, flanked by CEOs of nuclear companies, as well as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum. Burgum told reporters that the president’s actions would “turn the clock back on over 50 years of overregulation” in the nuclear industry.
The orders also direct the US Departments of Energy and Defense to work together to build nuclear plants on federal land. According to a White House official, building more nuclear reactors aims to address the increased energy needs created by artificial intelligence technology. Additionally, Trump’s orders call for growth in the domestic production and enrichment of uranium, the primary fuel used in nuclear power.
Trump has focused heavily on energy industry deregulation since taking office for a second term in January. On January 20, he declared a “national energy emergency”, calling on federal agencies to identify emergency powers to facilitate the identification, leasing, siting, production, transportation, refining, and generation of domestic energy resources. He further described high energy prices as an “active threat” to US citizens and national security.
The move to boost nuclear energy production has sparked debate, with some highlighting the benefits of low greenhouse gas emissions and others raising concerns about radioactive waste and the risk of accidents. Experts believe it would take years for the US to scale up its nuclear infrastructure, even with Trump’s regulatory rollback.