Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Israeli media: Direct damage from Iranian bombing of "Israel" in one week is estimated at approximately 5 billion shekels (about $1.35 billion)
Unprovoked aggression against Iran has no basis or justification: Putin
Shahid Beheshti University Public Relations: The Israeli aggression targeted a building belonging to Shahid Beheshti University with the aim of sabotaging Iran's cultural and scientific infrastructure
Al Mayadeen correspondent: The Fordow nuclear facility was bombed once again, 24 hours after the US aggression.
Fars News Agency, citing informed sources: The Iranian Armed Forces used the Kheibar-Shekan, Emad, Ghadr, and Fattah missiles in their attacks on the Israeli entity today
Sirens sound from the occupied Golan Heights to Akka and Nahariya
Sirens sound again in the occupied Golan Heights and al-Jalil
Israeli media: Power outages reported in several settlements following a missile attack targeting an infrastructure facility
Israeli media: Strategic location in the south likely hit
Israeli media outlet: Reports of missiles falling in at least 7 areas, including Askalan, Safad, and Isdud

Trump signs executive orders to accelerate US nuclear energy expansion

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 24 May 2025 12:03
4 Min Read

The executive orders include easing regulations, expanding uranium mining, and supporting small modular reactors.

Listen
  • x
  • Trump
    US President Donald Trump holds up a signed executive order in the Oval Office of the White House, on May 23, 2025, in Washington, DC (GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

US President Donald Trump signed four executive orders on Friday aimed at revitalizing the nuclear energy sector in the US by streamlining regulations, expanding uranium production, and supporting the development of small modular reactors.

“We're signing tremendous executive orders today that really will make us the real power in this industry,” Trump said from the Oval Office.

Trump pushes for nuclear growth

The Trump nuclear energy executive orders seek to ease the regulatory burden on nuclear reactor development and promote domestic uranium mining and enrichment, as the US continues to rely heavily on imports for its nuclear fuel supply.

The move aligns with the administration’s broader energy strategy to reduce dependence on foreign resources and meet rising electricity demand, particularly from the tech sector.

Trump emphasized that future growth would focus on smaller, more efficient reactors that cater to the needs of major technology and artificial intelligence firms requiring stable, carbon-free power.

10 new large nuclear reactors

He signed an executive order, which stipulates the launch of construction projects for 10 new large nuclear reactors within five years.

"To maximize the speed and scale of new nuclear capacity, the Department of Energy shall prioritize work with the nuclear energy industry to facilitate 5 gigawatt of power uprates to existing nuclear reactors and have 10 new large reactors with complete designs under construction by 2030," he said in the executive order, signed on Friday.

Focus on small modular reactors to meet tech demand

Related News

IAEA chief urges Iran to disclose uranium transfers after US strike

Starmer, Lammy dodge questions on legality, stance on strikes on Iran

Trump also highlighted the role of small modular reactors (SMRs) as a cornerstone of the new policy, pointing to increased energy demands from companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google, which have recently pursued nuclear energy partnerships as part of their carbon neutrality goals.

Overhaul of US nuclear regulatory process

A central feature of the orders is a directive to accelerate decision-making by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), requiring it to process applications for new reactors within 18 months. The administration has criticized the NRC as being overly cautious, and the new rules are intended to reduce delays in project approvals, according to a senior White House official.

Trump rejected concerns that the regulatory overhaul might compromise safety, stating, “We're going to get it very fast and very safe. It's time for nuclear and we're going to do it very big.”

Read more: Trump launches sweeping overhaul of National Security Council

Uranium mining, enrichment to be expanded domestically

Another key component of the executive orders is a renewed push for domestic uranium mining and enrichment. While the US has traditionally imported uranium from countries like Canada, Australia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Russia, imports from Moscow were banned in 2024 following the start of its war with Ukraine.

The orders aim to close the supply gap and reduce reliance on foreign sources amid rising global uranium prices.

Declaring an energy emergency to reshape US energy policy

On his first day back in office, Trump declared an “energy emergency” to roll back policies implemented by former President Joe Biden and expand fossil fuel drilling. The new nuclear-focused measures add another layer to his administration’s broader energy agenda.

The senior White House official said the goal is to "test and deploy" new nuclear reactors before the end of Trump's second term in January 2029.

Read more: US, Saudi Arabia in talks on nuclear tech deal, says US energy sec.

Resurgence of nuclear power amid global energy shifts

Nuclear power is gaining renewed interest globally as countries seek carbon-free energy alternatives.

The US is witnessing a similar shift, driven by energy security concerns and climate commitments. Two US energy companies are preparing to bring reactors back online, including at Three Mile Island, the site of the most serious nuclear accident in US history in 1979.

Despite the legacy of the Fukushima disaster in 2011, which led some nations like Germany to abandon nuclear energy, Trump’s administration views it as essential to future US energy independence and innovation.

Michael Kratsios, Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, described the initiative as “historic", stating it marks the beginning of “an American nuclear renaissance.”

Read more: EU sought ship, port, energy ties in nixed proposal to Trump: Report

  • United States
  • Nuclear Energy
  • US
  • Donald Trump

Most Read

Iran launches 9th wave of Op. True Promise 3, destroys IOF air defense

Iran launches 9th wave of Op. True Promise 3, destroys IOF air defense

  • MENA
  • 17 Jun 2025
Israeli workers survey the site where a missile launched from Iran struck in Haifa on Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP)

True Promise 3, wave 20: 40 missiles launched, Kheibar-Shekan in first

  • Politics
  • 22 Jun 2025
Rescue team work at the site where a missile launched from Iran struck Tel Aviv, Israel, Monday, June 16, 2025 (AP)

Wave 12 of Operation True Promise 3 launched, Sejjil deployed: IRGC

  • Politics
  • 18 Jun 2025
Iran launches missile barrage to Tel Aviv, casualties reported

True Promise 3, wave 14: Tel Aviv targeted, casualties reported

  • Politics
  • 19 Jun 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani, speaks with then-Syrian Prime Minister Imad Khamis in a meeting in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, January 17, 2017 (AP)
Politics

Iran holds the initiative after nuclear strikes, Shamkhani says

Blood stains a religious painting inside Mar Elias Church, where a suicide bomber detonated himself in al-Dwela, on the outskirts of Damascus, Syria, on Sunday, June 22, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN, regional governments condemn Damascus church bombing

A B-2 bomber arrives at Whiteman Air Force Base Missouri, Sunday, June 22, 2025, after returning from a massive strike on Iranian nuclear sites on Saturday (AP)
Politics

Israeli media: US-Israeli strike on Iran failed to end war

China UN Ambassador Fu Cong addresses the United Nations Security Council, Monday, March 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Politics

China slams US strikes on Iran nuclear sites

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS