U.S. President Donald Trump has introduced a series of executive orders aimed at accelerating nuclear energy development across the country. These orders, announced recently, instruct the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to simplify and speed up its approval process for new nuclear reactors. The administration’s goal is to cut approval times drastically from over ten years to just 18 months.
Michael Kratsios, head of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, described the move as a clear sign of renewed American ambition. “President Trump is making it clear: America is returning to nuclear leadership,” Kratsios said.
The new directives also emphasize stronger collaboration between the Department of Energy and the Department of Defense. Under the plan, the Defense Department will take a leading role in deploying small modular nuclear reactors at military bases nationwide. These reactors will provide stable energy supplies for bases, reducing their dependence on local power grids.
Officials expect the Defense Department to become a key early customer for new nuclear technologies. Its involvement aims to speed up the scale-up and adoption of these advanced energy systems.
Another major focus is restoring the domestic uranium industry. The executive orders encourage increased mining and enrichment of uranium within the United States to lower dependence on imported nuclear fuel. Strengthening domestic production is seen as a crucial step toward improving national energy security and supporting the growing nuclear sector.
The urgency behind these moves partly stems from the rising energy demands driven by data centers and artificial intelligence systems. In January, President Trump declared a national energy emergency, citing concerns that the current power infrastructure could not keep up with this rapid growth.
Until now, the administration has mainly backed fossil fuels in its energy policies. However, nuclear power is now being positioned as a central element in a long-term strategy to provide reliable, low-emission energy for the future.
By speeding up approvals, expanding domestic uranium production, and involving the military in early deployment, the administration aims to lay the foundation for a modern nuclear revival. This effort balances national security, economic growth, and the demands of a tech-driven future.