By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby declare the following:
Section 1. Purpose. The quest for abundant energy is not merely a luxury; it is a cornerstone of our national and economic security. By bolstering domestic fossil fuel production alongside nuclear energy, we can diminish our reliance on geopolitical adversaries. This dual approach not only fuels traditional manufacturing sectors but also powers innovative, energy-hungry industries like artificial intelligence and quantum computing.
From 1954 to 1978, the United States greenlit the establishment of 133 civilian nuclear reactors across 81 power plants. However, since 1978, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has authorized a mere handful of new reactors, with just two becoming commercially operational. The NRC’s hourly fee structure for processing license applications leads to protracted timelines, maximizing fees while stymying nuclear power progression. Despite significant technological advancements that could render nuclear energy safer, more affordable, and more flexible, the NRC has struggled to license new reactors.
This stagnation stems from a fundamental miscalculation: rather than efficiently fostering the development of safe and abundant nuclear energy, the NRC has focused on shielding Americans from highly improbable risks, neglecting the significant domestic and geopolitical repercussions of this risk aversion. The NRC employs safety models that erroneously suggest there is no safe level of radiation exposure, treating harm as directly proportional to exposure. These models are scientifically unsound and lead to absurd outcomes, such as requiring nuclear plants to mitigate radiation risks lower than naturally occurring levels. This overly cautious policy disregards the reality that alternative energy sources also pose risks, including pollution with potentially harmful health implications.
Recent incidents in Europe, such as the nationwide blackouts in Spain and Portugal, highlight the critical need for my Administration to prioritize reliable power generation—including nuclear—over less stable sources. Effective immediately, my Administration will initiate reforms within the NRC, including its organizational structure, personnel, regulations, and operational protocols. Through these reforms, we aim to secure lasting American leadership in the global nuclear energy market, create tens of thousands of high-paying jobs, and foster American-driven prosperity and resilience.
Sec. 2. Policy. The United States is committed to:
(a) Reestablishing our position as the world leader in nuclear energy;
(b) Facilitating the swift deployment of new nuclear reactor technologies, including Generation III+ and IV reactors, modular reactors, and microreactors, by reducing regulatory and financial barriers;
(c) Expanding American nuclear energy capacity from approximately 100 GW in 2024 to 400 GW by 2050;
(d) Leveraging emerging technologies to accelerate the modeling, simulation, testing, and approval processes for new reactor designs;
(e) Supporting the continued operation of the existing nuclear fleet, facilitating appropriate extensions for current reactors, and reactivating prematurely shut down or incomplete nuclear facilities; and
(f) Maintaining the United States’ reputation as a leader in nuclear safety.
Sec. 3. Reforming the NRC’s Culture. Congress has mandated that the NRC’s licensing and regulation of civilian use of radioactive materials and nuclear energy be conducted in a manner that is efficient and does not unnecessarily limit—(1) the civilian use of radioactive materials and deployment of nuclear energy; or (2) the societal benefits derived from these technologies. The Accelerating Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy Act of 2024 mandates that the NRC’s mission includes facilitating nuclear power while ensuring reactor safety. In fulfilling its licensing and regulatory roles, the NRC must consider the advantages of increased nuclear power availability and innovation alongside safety, health, and environmental issues.
Sec. 4. Reforming the NRC’s Structure. (a) The NRC’s current structure and staffing do not align with Congress’s directive to avoid undue restrictions on nuclear power benefits. In consultation with the NRC’s DOGE Team (as defined in Executive Order 14158 of January 20, 2025), the NRC will reorganize to expedite license application processing and embrace innovative technologies. This reorganization may involve workforce reductions, although certain functions, particularly those related to new reactor licensing, may expand. Additionally, the NRC will create a dedicated team of at least 20 officials tasked with drafting the new regulations outlined in section 5 of this order.
(b) The personnel and functions of the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards (ACRS) will be streamlined to only what is necessary to meet statutory obligations. ACRS reviews on permitting and licensing will concentrate on genuinely novel or significant issues.
Sec. 5. Reforming and Modernizing the NRC’s Regulations. The NRC, collaborating with its DOGE Team, the Office of Management and Budget, and other relevant agencies, will undertake a comprehensive review and revision of its regulations and guidance documents. Proposed rulemaking notices will be issued within 9 months, and final rules will be established within 18 months from the date of this order. In this revision process, the NRC will adhere to the policies in section 2 of this order and will specifically:
(a) Implement fixed deadlines for evaluating and approving licenses, license amendments, renewals, certificates of compliance, and other activities requested by licensees or prospective licensees, as mandated by the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act. These deadlines will be enforced through caps on the NRC’s hourly fees. The established deadlines will include: (1) a maximum of 18 months for a final decision on an application to construct and operate a new reactor and (2) a maximum of 1 year for a final decision on an application to continue operating an existing reactor. The regulations will not allow for tolling these deadlines except in cases of applicant failure, ensuring that diligent applicants can successfully navigate the licensing process within the allotted time. Additionally, these are maximum timeframes; the NRC will adopt shorter deadlines tailored to specific reactor types or licensing pathways as appropriate.
(b) Adopt scientifically-based radiation limits. The NRC will reconsider its reliance on the linear no-threshold (LNT) model for radiation exposure and the “as low as reasonably achievable” standard, both of which are based on LNT. These models are flawed, as discussed in section 1 of this order. In this reconsideration, the NRC will specifically explore the adoption of determinate radiation limits, consulting with the Department of Defense (DOD), the Department of Energy (DOE), and the Environmental Protection Agency as necessary.
(c) Revise NRC regulations to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act, reflecting Congress’s 2023 amendments and the policies articulated in sections 2 and 5 of Executive Order 14154 of January 20, 2025.
(d) Establish an expedited approval pathway for reactor designs tested by the DOD or DOE that have demonstrated safe functionality. NRC reviews of these designs will focus solely on risks arising from new applications permitted by NRC licensure, avoiding revisiting risks already addressed in prior DOD or DOE processes.
(e) Create a streamlined licensing process for microreactors and modular reactors, including standardized applications and approvals, and evaluating the extent to which components should be regulated under general licenses.
(f) Set stringent conditions under which the NRC may require modifications to reactor designs during construction.
(g) Revise the Reactor Oversight Process and security requirements to alleviate unnecessary burdens while addressing credible risks.
(h) Adopt updated, data-backed thresholds ensuring that reactor safety assessments focus on realistic risks.
(i) Reconsider the validity of renewal license effectiveness periods and extend them where appropriate based on technological and safety data.
(j) Streamline the public hearing process.
Sec. 6. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be interpreted to impair or affect:
(i) the authority granted by law to any executive department or agency, or its head; or
(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(b) This order shall be implemented in accordance with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
(c) This order does not intend to, and does not, create any enforceable rights or benefits, substantive or procedural, against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, their officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
(d) The Nuclear Regulatory Commission shall allocate funds for the publication of this order in the Federal Register.
DONALD J. TRUMP
THE WHITE HOUSE,
May 23, 2025.
