On May 23, 2025, US President Donald Trump signed four executive orders focused on nuclear power. These orders bring major changes to the country's energy policy. They aim to increase nuclear electricity production, uranium mining and processing, and improve the regulatory framework.
Main Points of the Executive Orders
- Faster Approval for New Reactors: The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) must make a decision on new reactors within 18 months. This will reduce delays in the approval process.
- Increase Uranium Mining and Processing: The goal is to boost domestic uranium production and reduce dependency on imports.
- Development of Small Reactors: Small nuclear reactors will be built to meet the power needs of big tech and artificial intelligence (AI) companies.
- Reform of Regulatory Structure: The nuclear regulatory system will be updated to make the approval process easier and faster.
Trump Administration’s View
The Trump administration sees nuclear power as a safe, reliable, and clean energy source. Trump said, “It’s now the time for nuclear energy, and we are going to do it on a large scale.”
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Energy Security and Strategic Impact
The US currently imports most of its uranium from Canada, Australia, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan. But in 2024, due to the Ukraine war, imports from Russia were banned. This increased the need for domestic production.
Environmental and Safety Concerns
The administration views nuclear power as a carbon-free energy source that can help fight climate change. However, there are concerns about safety risks and the management of nuclear waste.
Conclusion
These executive orders will bring major changes to US energy policy. Expanding nuclear power may help improve energy security and support environmental goals. Still, it is important to address safety and environmental risks properly.