President Donald Trump has signed a sweeping set of executive orders designed to revitalize America’s nuclear energy industry and end reliance on foreign uranium, declaring a “national emergency” to accelerate domestic production and fast-track new reactor approvals.
The orders mandate a major overhaul of regulatory processes and invoke the Defense Production Act to boost uranium mining and enrichment within the United States. The goal: secure American energy independence, fuel national defense, and power the country’s growing demand for reliable, emission-free electricity.
Key Provisions of the Orders Include:
Accelerated Reactor Approvals: The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) must now greenlight new reactor designs within 18 months—slashing red tape that has historically delayed nuclear development for years. The orders also call for fast-tracking experimental and defense-related reactors on federal land.
Domestic Uranium Priority: Citing critical national security concerns, the orders trigger emergency powers under the Defense Production Act to kickstart uranium mining and enrichment. The move aims to eliminate U.S. dependence on uranium imports from adversarial nations like Russia and China.
Interagency Coordination: Federal agencies, including the Departments of Energy and Defense, have been instructed to identify government-owned sites suitable for reactor deployment and streamline environmental permitting to speed up construction.
Immediate Impact on Markets and Industry:
The announcement sent shockwaves through the energy sector. Shares of U.S. nuclear and uranium companies surged, with small-scale nuclear startups and uranium miners posting double-digit gains. Established players in the utility sector also saw a sharp uptick, signaling strong market support for Trump’s aggressive energy push.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright compared the plan to a modern-day “Manhattan Project,” saying it will be essential to power critical infrastructure—including AI-driven data centers, electric grids, and national defense installations.
Support and Concerns:
Industry leaders have largely praised the move as a long-overdue step to modernize and expand the country’s nuclear capabilities. However, some environmental and safety groups expressed concern over the compressed regulatory timelines, warning that rapid deployment must still meet stringent safety and oversight standards.
Strategic Context:
Trump’s actions build on momentum from the bipartisan ADVANCE Act of 2024, which laid the groundwork for streamlining next-generation nuclear licensing. These new orders significantly accelerate that timeline and deepen the focus on national self-reliance.
Looking Ahead:
The coming months will test whether agencies like the NRC can meet the 18-month licensing mandate and whether uranium production projects can clear environmental and permitting hurdles. Meanwhile, Trump’s bold move is expected to shape the national conversation around energy independence, climate policy, and infrastructure development.
With these executive orders, Trump has firmly positioned nuclear energy at the center of America’s energy future—linking it to national security, economic growth, and technological leadership in the 21st century.
The post Trump Signs Executive Orders to Supercharge U.S. Nuclear Power and Uranium Mining appeared first on Real News Now.
About Author
