TRUMP’S NUCLEAR GAMBIT – 10 Reactors by 2030!

Daily Report May 25,2025

President Trump signed executive orders to revitalize America’s nuclear industry, challenging China and Russia’s growing dominance while promising energy independence through innovative reactor technologies.

At a Glance

Trump’s executive orders aim to build 10 new large reactors by 2030 and support small reactor development
The plan includes constructing reactors at military installations and reorganizing the Nuclear Regulatory Commission
America has fallen behind with only two new reactors built in 30 years while China and Russia rapidly expand
The initiative creates a new Uranium Reserve program to purchase fuel from domestic mines
Workforce development programs will expand nuclear expertise through education and training

Reclaiming Nuclear Leadership

The United States has lost significant ground in nuclear energy development over the past three decades. With 87% of new reactors since 2017 based on foreign designs and only two new reactors built in the last 30 years, America’s once-dominant position has eroded while China and Russia aggressively expanded their nuclear footprints. The executive orders signed by President Trump establish a comprehensive strategy to reverse this decline, addressing energy independence and national security concerns simultaneously.

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The administration’s blueprint targets multiple aspects of the nuclear fuel cycle, from mining and enrichment to reactor construction and spent fuel management. Particular emphasis is placed on increasing domestic uranium conversion capabilities and establishing a Uranium Reserve program to purchase fuel from American mines, reducing dependence on foreign sources. This approach reflects broader concerns about supply chain security in critical industries that affect national defense and energy resilience.

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Ambitious Construction and Regulatory Reform

At the heart of the executive orders is an ambitious construction program targeting 10 new large conventional reactors by 2030, along with support for innovative small reactor companies including Last Energy Inc., Oklo, TerraPower LLC, and NuScale Power Corp. The initiative also includes adding 5 gigawatts of power through uprates to existing facilities. One controversial aspect involves building reactors at military installations, potentially bypassing standard Nuclear Regulatory Commission approval processes.

“We’re signing tremendous executive orders today that will really make us the real power in this industry,” Trump stated during the signing ceremony, adding that nuclear technology “has come a long way, both in safety and costs.”

The orders mandate a significant reorganization of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, establishing fixed timelines for license approvals and regulatory revisions. This reform addresses industry complaints about lengthy, unpredictable approval processes that have hampered nuclear development in comparison to countries with more streamlined regulatory frameworks. Critics worry about potential safety implications, while supporters argue that modernized regulations can maintain safety while enabling innovation.

Project 2025 and Fundamental Research

The administration’s nuclear strategy aligns with aspects of Project 2025, led by the Heritage Foundation, which outlines potential science policy directions. The project prioritizes fundamental research over deployment, suggesting the Department of Energy should focus on research not conducted by the private sector while eliminating offices focused on energy technology development and climate change initiatives that could be characterized as market interventions.

“The administration has taken the wise, long view that a strong nuclear fuel supply industry will not exist without thriving, growing demand for that fuel, in the U.S. and abroad,” noted Rich Powell, Executive Director of ClearPath Action, expressing support for the comprehensive approach.

A key component of the strategy involves developing advanced reactor technologies and fuel cycle capabilities. Within 240 days, a comprehensive report will be prepared recommending policies for managing spent nuclear fuel and developing advanced fuel cycle capabilities. This addresses one of the industry’s persistent challenges—the handling of nuclear waste—while potentially opening pathways to reprocessing spent fuel, a practice the U.S. abandoned decades ago while countries like France continued.

Workforce Development and National Security

Recognizing that technology alone cannot revitalize the industry, the executive orders emphasize expanding the nuclear energy workforce through education and training programs. The Secretary of Energy is directed to increase access to research and development infrastructure for students and Department of Defense personnel, addressing the significant skills gap that has developed as America’s nuclear industry stagnated. This workforce development is critical to sustaining any nuclear renaissance.

Former Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette previously noted, “The decline of the U.S. industrial base in the front end of the nuclear fuel cycle over the past few decades has threatened our national interest and national security.”

The administration’s strategy represents the most ambitious nuclear development plan in decades, seeking to reverse years of decline while confronting Russia and China’s growing nuclear influence globally. Through a combination of regulatory reform, construction initiatives, and supply chain reinforcement, the executive orders aim to restore America’s position as the world’s nuclear energy leader. Implementation challenges remain substantial, however, particularly regarding financing, regulatory efficiency, and public acceptance of new nuclear facilities.