Trump ORDERS Nuclear Surge – China on Notice

President Trump signs sweeping executive orders to revitalize America’s declining nuclear industry, aiming to reclaim global leadership from China and Russia.

At a Glance

  • Trump’s executive orders target construction of 10 large conventional nuclear reactors by 2030 and support for small reactor development
  • The plan includes building reactors at US military installations, bypassing typical regulatory approval processes
  • The US nuclear industry has fallen behind, building only two new reactors in the last 30 years while China and Russia rapidly expand
  • Orders call for reorganizing the Nuclear Regulatory Commission with fixed timelines for approvals and expanding domestic uranium production
  • Initiative includes workforce development programs and increased educational access to research facilities

America’s Nuclear Revival Plan

The Trump administration has launched a comprehensive strategy to reinvigorate America’s nuclear energy sector through a series of executive orders focused on accelerating construction, streamlining regulations, and securing fuel supplies.

The initiative comes as the United States has fallen significantly behind global competitors, with 87% of new reactors since 2017 based on foreign designs. The strategy targets immediate growth with plans for 10 new conventional reactors by 2030 and support for innovative small reactor companies including Last Energy Inc., Oklo, TerraPower LLC, and NuScale Power Corp.

The orders reflect Project 2025 priorities, a Heritage Foundation-led blueprint for science policy under Trump’s second term. The plan focuses on fundamental research rather than deployment, suggesting the Department of Energy concentrate on research not conducted by the private sector.

This approach aims to reduce what some view as government interference in energy markets while strengthening national security and energy independence through nuclear capacity expansion.

Regulatory Reforms and Uranium Production

A central feature of Trump’s nuclear revival strategy involves significant reorganization of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The orders establish fixed timelines for license approvals and regulatory revisions, addressing long-standing industry complaints about regulatory uncertainty and delays. Perhaps most controversially, the plan includes provisions for constructing reactors at US military installations that would bypass traditional NRC approval processes, potentially accelerating deployment while raising questions about oversight.

“We’re signing tremendous executive orders today that really will make us the real power in this industry,” Trump stated while highlighting that nuclear technology “has come a long way, both in safety and costs.”

The orders also address domestic uranium production concerns through the creation of a new Uranium Reserve program to purchase uranium from American mines. The Secretary of Energy is specifically tasked with expanding domestic uranium conversion and enrichment capabilities to reduce dependence on foreign sources. The strategy prioritizes agreements with domestic nuclear companies for cooperative procurement of nuclear fuel, addressing supply chain vulnerabilities that have emerged over decades of declining US nuclear capacity.

Global Competition and National Security

The revival strategy responds directly to America’s declining position in global nuclear energy leadership. While the US has built only two new reactors in the past three decades, China and Russia have been rapidly deploying them, expanding their influence through nuclear technology exports. The U.S. Nuclear Fuel Working Group, established in 2019, developed many of the recommendations incorporated into the current strategy, highlighting the national security implications of this decline.

“The decline of the U.S. industrial base in the front end of the nuclear fuel cycle over the past few decades has threatened our national interest and national security,” said Secretary Brouillette, underscoring the strategic implications of nuclear capacity.

Project 2025 also proposes restricting academic and technology exchanges with adversaries, particularly China, suggesting reductions in visas for Chinese students and researchers in sensitive fields. This approach aims to protect American nuclear innovations and intellectual property while developing domestic capabilities. Within 240 days, a comprehensive report will be prepared recommending policies for managing spent nuclear fuel and developing advanced fuel cycle capabilities, addressing both waste management concerns and future fuel security.

Workforce Development and Implementation

Recognizing that revitalizing the nuclear industry requires more than just policy changes, the orders emphasize expanding the nuclear energy workforce through education and training programs. The Secretary of Energy is directed to increase access to research and development infrastructure for students and Department of Defense personnel, building the technical expertise needed for long-term industry growth. These educational initiatives aim to address the aging workforce in nuclear energy while preparing new generations for advanced reactor technologies.

“The administration has taken the wise, long view that a strong nuclear fuel supply industry will not exist without thriving, growing demand for that fuel, in the U.S. and abroad,” noted Rich Powell, Executive Director of ClearPath Action, highlighting the comprehensive approach.

The orders specify that implementation must comply with legal, budgetary, and nonproliferation obligations, addressing concerns raised by critics including former US Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz regarding potential proliferation risks. The plan balances aggressive growth targets with regulatory requirements, aiming to revitalize American nuclear leadership while maintaining safety standards and international commitments that have been cornerstones of US nuclear policy.

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