President Donald J. Trump Directs Reform of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission – The White House

REVAMPING NUCLEAR REGULATION:

Today, President Donald J. Trump took a bold step by signing an Executive Order aimed at overhauling the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). This initiative seeks to diminish our reliance on foreign technologies, lower regulatory hurdles, and bolster the domestic nuclear sector.

• This Executive Order mandates the NRC to finalize rulemakings within 18 months, thoroughly revising its regulations and guidance documents. The objective is to strike a delicate balance between safety concerns and the economic benefits of nuclear energy for our national security. The proposed revisions will include:

  • Establishing strict deadlines for the evaluation and approval of licenses, including an 18-month deadline for new reactor construction and operation, alongside a 12-month deadline for the continued operation of existing reactors.

  • Implementing science-based radiation limits, moving away from outdated and questionable radiation exposure models.

  • Revising the regulations that govern compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act.

  • Creating an expedited pathway for approving reactor designs that have already passed rigorous testing by the Department of Defense or Department of Energy.

  • Establishing a streamlined process for high-volume licensing of microreactors and modular reactors, including standardized application procedures.

  • Reevaluating regulations that restrict license terms, with the potential for appropriate extensions.

CULTURAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL SHIFT AT THE NRC:

In a bid to realign the NRC’s culture and structure, President Trump is urging a reform that aligns with Congress’ mandate to rapidly advance nuclear power while maintaining reactor safety.

• In licensing and regulating civilian nuclear power, the NRC is now instructed to weigh the economic and national security benefits of nuclear energy alongside traditional safety, health, and environmental considerations.
• This Executive Order also calls for a reorganization of the NRC to accelerate the processing of license applications and foster the adoption of innovative technologies.
• A dedicated team will be formed within the NRC to draft the new regulations as outlined in the Order.

NURTURING THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION:

President Trump is determined to reestablish the United States as a frontrunner in nuclear energy, a move that promises to create tens of thousands of well-paying jobs and pave the way for American-led prosperity and resilience.

• Since 1978, the construction and operation of only two new nuclear reactors have been realized. In stark contrast, President Trump is signing twice as many Executive Orders in a single day to ignite a nuclear renaissance in the United States.
• Due to an excessively risk-averse culture, which mandates that nuclear facilities emit minimal radiation—even below naturally occurring levels—the NRC has been slow to license new reactors. This is despite technological advancements that promise to make nuclear power safer, more cost-effective, and increasingly versatile.
• The Order sets forth U.S. policy objectives aimed at facilitating the deployment of new nuclear reactor technologies, with ambitions to increase American nuclear energy capacity from approximately 100 GW today to 400 GW by 2050.
• Energy independence, deregulation, and the removal of obstacles to infrastructure development have been hallmarks of President Trump’s second term, and reforming the NRC marks a significant milestone within these vital policy arenas.