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yesterday

Trump Orders Regulatory Overhaul to Quadruple U.S. Nuclear Capacity by 2050

The White House has ordered the NRC to fast-track reactor approvals within 18 months under emergency powers aimed at securing domestic uranium supplies.

An orange, cloudy sky backlights a set of electrical wires on large pylons, leading away from the cooling towers of a nuclear power plant.
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Overview

  • President Trump signed four executive orders directing supply-chain reforms, advanced reactor testing at federal facilities, increased reactor deployment on military bases and a comprehensive overhaul of NRC regulations.
  • One order mandates the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to issue final construction and operating license decisions within 18 months, sharply reducing current multi-year review timelines.
  • The administration invoked the Defense Production Act to declare a national emergency over uranium import dependence and to prioritize domestic mining and processing.
  • A target was set to expand U.S. nuclear capacity from roughly 100 gigawatts to 400 gigawatts by 2050, including incentives for both traditional plants and next-generation modular reactors.
  • Critics warn that accelerated licensing could undermine safety standards and the NRC’s independence, while supporters say the reforms are vital to compete with China’s rapid nuclear build-out.