The Trump administration is evaluating a series of executive orders designed to accelerate the construction of nuclear power plants in response to the increasing demand for electricity in the United States. According to drafts reviewed by The New York Times, these orders highlight the country's lagging position compared to China in expanding its nuclear power capabilities.
The draft orders advocate for a comprehensive overhaul of federal safety regulations, aiming to simplify the process of building new nuclear facilities. This proposed “wholesale revision” is intended to facilitate a more rapid deployment of nuclear energy resources to meet burgeoning electricity needs.
One significant aspect of the plans includes the Department of Defense taking a central role in the ordering and installation of nuclear reactors on military bases. This approach underscores the administration's strategy to integrate nuclear energy into national defense infrastructure while enhancing energy security.
The executive orders set a bold target to increase the nation's nuclear power generation capacity from nearly 100 gigawatts to 400 gigawatts by the year 2050. To put this into perspective, one gigawatt of energy can supply power to approximately 1 million homes, illustrating the potential impact of this initiative on the energy landscape in the U.S.
According to the draft titled “Ushering In a Nuclear Renaissance,” the decline in American development of new nuclear reactor designs has led to a concerning trend where 87 percent of nuclear reactors installed globally since 2017 are based on designs from either Russia or China. The draft emphasizes that “these trends cannot continue” and calls for “swift and decisive action” to revitalize America’s position in the nuclear sector.
The four draft orders are labeled as “pre-decisional” and “deliberative,” indicating that they are still under consideration. Although several potential executive orders related to nuclear power have been discussed, it remains uncertain which, if any, will be formally issued. This information comes from a source who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the discussions.
As the nation grapples with energy demands and safety concerns surrounding electricity generation, the proposed initiatives signal a renewed focus on nuclear energy as a viable solution for the future. The administration's pursuit of a nuclear renaissance may reshape the energy landscape in the coming decades.
