Contemplating an executive decree to expedite the building of nuclear power stations - New York Times
The Trump Administration's Push for Nuclear Power
Kickstarting a crusade to quicken the construction of nuclear power plants, the Trump administration is reportedly mulling over a series of executive orders, as The New York Times reported on a Friday briefing, citing draft orders. According to the reports, the U.S. is falling behind China in the realm of nuclear power and these orders aim to rectify the situation.
These energy-oriented executive orders, signed by President Trump on April 8, 2025, are an extension of earlier directives focusing on deregulation and ensuring grid reliability. Particularly, one order requires the Secretary of Energy to simplify the processes under the Federal Power Act, guaranteeing the availability and interconnection of critical generation resources, like nuclear plants, particularly in regions at risk for grid stability.
Furthermore, these orders encourage revising reserve margin methodologies to evaluate the generation capacity needs more effectively across the country, consequently strengthening the resilience and security of the power system. Though specific orders with explicit references to nuclear power construction acceleration are still in the works, reports suggest the administration is considering such orders to boost nuclear energy ventures.
The Trump administration's initiatives align with broader deregulation efforts aimed at revitalizing domestic energy sectors, including coal and nuclear, by eliminating state-level regulatory obstacles presumed to be hindering energy development and national security. On a global scale, China has been expanding its nuclear capacity at a rapid pace, thanks to centralized planning, streamlined approvals, and substantial government support. The U.S., in contrast, has been grappling with complex regulatory frameworks and market challenges in scaling up its nuclear power infrastructure.
With these executive actions, the Trump administration seeks to bridge the gap by easing the construction and integration of nuclear power plants into the grid, boosting energy security, and addressing the increased demand driven by technological advancements. In essence, the Trump administration's policies demonstrate a strategic effort to match China's nuclear energy progress and fortify the domestic power sector's resilience.
- Citing industry reports, the Trump administration is considering a series of executive orders to speed up the construction of nuclear power plants, aiming to catch up with China's rising dominance in nuclear power, as reported by The New York Times.
- Signed on April 8, 2025, the energy-focused executive orders issued by President Trump include streamlining processes under the Federal Power Act to ensure the availability and interconnection of critical generation resources, such as nuclear plants.
- In addition, these orders propose revising reserve margin methodologies to evaluate generation capacity needs more effectively, thereby strengthening the resilience and security of the power system, while specific orders for nuclear power construction acceleration are still in development.
- Among broader deregulation efforts, the Trump administration aims to revitalize domestic energy sectors, including nuclear, by easing construction and integration into the grid, addressing increased demand driven by technological advancements, and eliminating state-level regulatory obstacles.
- As China continues to expand its nuclear capacity at an accelerated pace, the Trump administration's policies demonstrate a strategic effort to match its progress and fortify the domestic power sector's resilience, contributing to energy security and policy-and-legislation reforms in the general news landscape.
