President Donald Trump has signed a new executive order to accelerate the production and operation of nuclear energy to support new technologies. The Reinvigorating the Nuclear Industrial Base EO aims to strengthen the nation’s nuclear energy supply chain by expanding the capacity of existing nuclear reactors, constructing new large reactors, providing financial support for increased energy production and bolstering domestic workforce participation, the White House said Friday.
Energy generation has been a major concern under the new administration. On day one of his second presidential term, Trump declared a national energy emergency to remove bureaucratic barriers and address the challenge of inadequate energy supply and infrastructure across the United States.
The EO is expected to create more jobs, stimulate economic growth and reestablish the nation as a leading energy producer in the world.
How the US Plans to Increase Nuclear Energy Production
The EO directs the head of the Department of Energy to work with the secretaries of defense and transportation and the director of the Office of Management and Budget to identify national policies that can improve spent nuclear fuel management and commercial recycling and reprocessing of nuclear fuels.
DOE will also collaborate with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and OMB to craft a plan for expanding domestic uranium conversion and enrichment to better meet civilian and defense demands.
In addition, Energy Secretary Chris Wright will need to develop a program for disposing of surplus plutonium by making it available for advanced reactor fuel fabrication.
The U.S. government will also offer federal loans and loan guarantees to organizations that can contribute toward increased nuclear energy generation. The projects that may be eligible for government funding include restarting closed or prematurely suspended plants and near-term deployment of advanced nuclear technologies.
The EO sets the goal of 5 GW of power uprates for existing nuclear reactors and constructing 10 new large reactors by 2030.
President Trump is additionally attempting to create pathways for Americans to enter the nuclear workforce. To support the EO, the secretaries of labor and education will launch programs to increase participation in nuclear energy apprenticeships and promote career and technical education.
