President Trump has signed sweeping Executive Orders to jumpstart America’s nuclear industry, aiming to quadruple capacity and secure U.S. dominance in AI, energy, and global leadership.
At a Glance
- Trump signed four Executive Orders to revitalize U.S. nuclear power, including federal land development and NRC reform
- The plan targets 400 GW of nuclear capacity by 2050, up from 100 GW today
- Three experimental reactors are set for completion by July 4, 2026
- The initiative frames nuclear power as key to AI infrastructure and energy independence
- Orders include a mandate for restoring “Gold Standard Science” in federal research
America’s Nuclear Comeback
In a bold move to reestablish America’s leadership in energy innovation, President Trump has signed Executive Orders initiating a sweeping nuclear energy revival. The plan includes fast-tracking reactor approvals, reforming the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), and opening federal lands for advanced nuclear development. The orders reflect the administration’s conviction that nuclear power is essential for a resilient grid, economic growth, and national security.
“This is going to turn the clock back on over 50 years of overregulation of an industry,” said Interior Secretary Doug Burgum during the signing. Once a world leader in nuclear development, the U.S. has seen its fleet stagnate due to high costs and long permitting delays—a bottleneck this initiative aims to dismantle.
Watch a report: Trump’s Nuclear Orders: Game-Changer or Gamble?.
Powering AI and National Security
The orders frame nuclear energy as more than a climate solution—they position it as strategic infrastructure vital to America’s technological edge. The administration argues that artificial intelligence systems will require exponentially more electricity, and that only nuclear can deliver the necessary scale without depending on foreign energy or fragile renewables.
“President Trump has committed to energy dominance… so we’ve got enough electricity to win the AI arms race with China,” Burgum emphasized, echoing concerns that China’s state-backed AI and energy investments are accelerating.
The goal to reach 400 GW of nuclear capacity by 2050 is ambitious. For context, that would roughly match the country’s current total power demand. But the plan includes leveraging new modular reactor technologies and partnering with national labs to make it possible.
Redefining “Safe” and “Scientific”
Beyond hardware and kilowatts, the executive orders also take aim at institutional reform. A key provision mandates the restoration of “Gold Standard Science”—defined by the White House Office of Science and Technology as transparent, reproducible, and politically neutral research standards.
The Trump administration argues that decades of anti-nuclear sentiment, fueled by outdated fears and activist lobbying, have sidelined science in favor of ideology. “Nuclear is very safe,” Trump said, citing modern engineering and stringent safety protocols.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright added, “For too long, America’s nuclear energy industry has been stymied by red tape… but thanks to President Trump, the renaissance is here.”
With three experimental reactors targeted for launch by July 4, 2026—America’s 250th birthday—the nuclear comeback is being cast as a patriotic revival. Whether this initiative fulfills its promise or faces the same roadblocks of the past remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: nuclear power is back in the national spotlight.
