What is the Trump Admin doing to increase nuclear power?

Energy News Beat

Key Points

Research suggests the Trump team is considering executive orders to expedite nuclear power plant construction.
The evidence leans toward plans to overhaul regulations and involve the Department of Defense, with goals to expand capacity significantly.
There is some controversy, as these plans are still in progress and not finalized, with potential regulatory and political challenges.

Direct Answer

The Trump administration appears to be looking into executive orders to speed up nuclear power development. Recent reports indicate they are drafting orders to streamline construction, including changes to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and involving the U.S. military in deploying reactors. The goal is to quadruple nuclear power capacity to 400 gigawatts by 2050, up from nearly 100 gigawatts today. However, these plans are still being developed and haven’t been finalized yet, so there’s uncertainty about their implementation.

Background
Nuclear power is seen as a way to meet growing electricity demand, especially with rising needs from data centers and AI. The administration’s focus seems to align with broader energy dominance goals, as seen in other executive actions supporting domestic energy resources.

Current Status
While drafts exist, no final decisions have been made, and there could be challenges like regulatory hurdles or opposition from stakeholders. This makes it likely they’re exploring these options, but success isn’t guaranteed.

Controversy and Context
There’s debate over loosening safety regulations, which could face pushback, and the involvement of the military might raise concerns. Still, the administration’s actions suggest a strong push for nuclear energy, though it’s not without complexity.

Survey Note: Detailed Analysis of Trump Team’s Consideration of Executive Orders for Nuclear Power

This note provides a comprehensive examination of whether the Trump administration is considering executive orders to expedite nuclear power development, as of May 11, 2025. The analysis is grounded in recent news reports and official statements, highlighting the potential scope, current status, and implications of these plans.

Background on Nuclear Power and Trump Administration’s Energy Policy

Nuclear power is a significant source of baseload electricity, with the U.S. currently operating nearly 100 gigawatts of capacity, enough to power millions of homes. The Trump administration has emphasized energy dominance, as evidenced by executive orders like “Unleashing American Energy” signed in January 2025, which directs agencies to review regulations burdening domestic energy resources, including nuclear energy . This context suggests a supportive stance toward nuclear power, aligning with efforts to meet surging electricity demand, particularly from data centers and AI infrastructure, as noted in recent policy discussions .

Evidence of Executive Orders for Nuclear Power

Recent reports from multiple sources indicate that the Trump administration is considering several executive orders aimed at speeding up nuclear power plant construction. Key details include:

The New York Times reported on May 9, 2025, that drafts reviewed by the outlet propose a “wholesale revision” of federal safety regulations to ease new plant construction and envision the Department of Defense taking a prominent role in ordering reactors for military bases . The drafts also set a goal of quadrupling the nation’s nuclear power fleet to 400 gigawatts by 2050, from nearly 100 gigawatts today, highlighting the U.S. falling behind China in nuclear expansion.
Bloomberg confirmed on the same day that administration officials are crafting executive orders to expedite approval and construction, aiming to meet surging electricity demand, though the effort is still a work in progress, with no final sign-off from the president . Sources like Axios and The New York Times were cited in discussions, indicating broad awareness of these plans.
Reuters also reported on May 9, 2025, aligning with these findings, noting the administration’s consideration of orders to expedite nuclear plant construction .

These reports suggest a concerted effort to streamline nuclear power development, potentially through regulatory changes and military involvement, though the exact details remain in draft form.

Current Status and Implementation Challenges

As of May 11, 2025, the executive orders are still in the drafting stage, with no final decisions made. Bloomberg notes that the president has not signed off, and announcements are pending, indicating uncertainty about their implementation. Several challenges could arise:

Regulatory Hurdles: Overhauling the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) could face opposition, given its role in ensuring safety. NPR reported on May 9, 2025, that the administration has tightened control over the NRC, considering orders that could loosen radiation limits, which might raise public and environmental concerns .
Political and Stakeholder Opposition: Loosening safety regulations could face pushback from environmental groups, as seen in past debates over nuclear power. The involvement of the military, as proposed in the drafts, might also raise questions about civilian oversight and funding priorities.
Economic and Technical Feasibility: Quadrupling capacity by 2050 is ambitious, requiring significant investment and overcoming historical delays in nuclear plant construction, as seen with projects like Vogtle in Georgia.

Despite these challenges, the administration’s actions, such as recent wins for nuclear energy in the first 100 days, suggest momentum. The Department of Energy highlighted 11 big wins, including international agreements like the Poland AP-1000 plant deal, indicating a broader push .

Broader Context and Related Executive Actions

The consideration of nuclear power executive orders fits into a larger energy policy framework. On April 8, 2025, Trump signed an executive order to protect American energy from state overreach, directing the attorney general to block enforcement of state laws impeding energy production, including nuclear energy . This order, while not specific to nuclear, supports the administration’s goal of reducing regulatory barriers, potentially aiding nuclear projects.

Additionally, recent executive orders on AI and energy dominance, such as those issued in February 2025, emphasize the need for new generation to serve load, with nuclear power seen as a key player . Legal precedents, like the Federal Circuit’s expansion of indemnification under the Price-Anderson Act, also support nuclear development, reducing financial risks for industry players .

Controversy and Public Perception

There is some controversy surrounding these plans, particularly around loosening safety regulations and the NRC’s autonomy. Critics, such as environmental groups, might argue that expediting nuclear power could compromise safety, especially given historical incidents like Three Mile Island, mentioned in NPR’s report. Political figures, like Senator John Barrasso, have labeled energy policies as a “disaster” in other contexts, though not specifically about nuclear power Barrasso: Biden Energy Policies are a Disaster, indicating a polarized energy policy landscape.

The potential for future cuts to climate programs, as speculated in a POLITICO article from April 11, 2025, could indirectly affect nuclear policy, but these plans are pre-decisional and not yet implemented White House outlines plan to gut NOAA, smother climate research. This adds complexity to the administration’s energy strategy, with nuclear power potentially seen as a counterbalance to renewable energy cuts.

Additional Context from Social Media

An X user, STUARTTURLEY16, was mentioned in the query, and recent posts from May 8, 2025, discuss energy issues, including a podcast on California’s energy crisis and a mention of Trump’s Energy Department discovering $93 billion in green energy loans . However, these posts do not directly address nuclear power executive orders, focusing more on broader energy policy and state-specific issues.

Conclusion

In summary, research suggests the Trump team is actively considering executive orders to expedite nuclear power development, with drafts proposing significant regulatory changes and ambitious capacity goals. The evidence leans toward a strong push, supported by broader energy dominance policies, but the plans are not finalized, and implementation faces potential challenges. The controversy around safety and regulatory autonomy highlights the complexity, yet the administration’s actions indicate a likely intent to move forward, pending final decisions.

Key Citations