This move comes amid a surge in power demand driven by rapid advances in artificial intelligence (AI)….reports Asian Lite News
U.S. President Donald Trump is preparing to sign a series of executive orders as early as Friday aimed at revitalising the country’s nuclear energy sector. According to a Reuters report, the orders will streamline regulatory approvals for new nuclear reactors and strengthen the supply chains for nuclear fuel.
This move comes amid a surge in power demand driven by rapid advances in artificial intelligence (AI). On his first day in office, Trump declared an energy emergency, citing the urgent need to expand power infrastructure to support AI development and data centres. Energy Secretary Chris Wright described this push as “Manhattan Project 2,” comparing it to the historic World War II effort to develop nuclear weapons.
The draft executive orders reportedly invoke the Cold War-era Defense Production Act, enabling the administration to declare a national emergency over the United States’ reliance on Russia and China for enriched uranium, nuclear fuel processing, and advanced reactor components. The orders also instruct government agencies to facilitate the permitting and siting of new nuclear facilities and direct the Departments of Energy and Defense to identify federal lands suitable for nuclear projects, aiming to expedite construction.
Additionally, the executive actions encourage the Department of Energy to use financial tools such as loan guarantees and direct loans to accelerate the construction of nuclear reactors. Although Trump’s previous administration primarily used these financing tools to support a major nuclear plant in Georgia, the Loan Programs Office now holds hundreds of billions of dollars in capital, boosted by legislation passed under President Joe Biden. However, staffing cuts during Trump’s current term have impacted the office’s operations.
The White House has not yet responded to requests for comment. It is important to note that the draft executive orders remain subject to revisions and may undergo significant changes before final approval.
Historically, the United States led global nuclear power development and still has the largest nuclear capacity worldwide. However, nuclear energy growth has recently been fastest in China. Industry representatives, including those from the Nuclear Energy Institute and the utility Constellation—operator of the largest U.S. reactor fleet—are expected to attend the signing ceremony.
Nuclear power enjoys bipartisan support in the U.S., with Democrats valuing its low carbon emissions and Republicans appreciating its reliability compared to intermittent renewables like wind and solar, which require battery storage solutions. Despite its advantages, nuclear energy faces ongoing challenges, including the unresolved issue of long-term radioactive waste storage, as the U.S. still lacks a permanent disposal site.
This initiative reflects a broader strategy to secure America’s energy independence and modernise its nuclear infrastructure amid evolving technological and geopolitical landscapes.
