REVITALIZING THE NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE: In a bold move today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order aimed at accelerating the production and utilization of nuclear energy. This initiative is framed as essential for powering next-generation technologies that ensure the United States maintains its industrial, digital, and economic leadership, while also achieving energy independence and bolstering national security.
- The Order assigns the Secretary of Energy, in collaboration with the Secretaries of Defense and Transportation, along with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the task of drafting a comprehensive national policy to optimize the management of spent nuclear fuel. It also calls for a thorough evaluation of policies surrounding the commercial recycling and reprocessing of nuclear fuels, along with recommendations for efficient utilization of nuclear waste materials.
- The Secretary of Energy, in consultation with the Chair of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the OMB Director, is charged with formulating a strategy to enhance domestic uranium conversion and enrichment capabilities to meet the anticipated demands from both civilian and defense reactors.
- This Executive Order directs the Secretary of Energy to initiate a program for the disposal of surplus plutonium by processing it into fuel for advanced reactors, effectively halting the current surplus plutonium disposition program, save for existing legal obligations.
- Utilizing the Defense Production Act, President Trump is seeking voluntary agreements from domestic nuclear energy firms to procure enriched uranium and to discuss strategies for improving domestic capabilities in managing spent nuclear fuel.
- The Secretary of Energy is authorized to facilitate the establishment of nuclear industry consortia, ensuring a market for newly created domestic fuel supplies across all stages—from milling and conversion to enrichment, fabrication, and recycling.
ACCELERATING NUCLEAR ENERGY PRODUCTION: President Trump is tapping into the full array of Federal financial resources to revive, complete, upgrade, and build new nuclear plants.
- The Department of Energy will focus on facilitating the uprating of existing reactors by an additional 5 GW of power and aims to construct 10 new large reactors by the year 2030.
- Federal loans and loan guarantees will be prioritized to promote the resurgence of nuclear energy, including the reopening of closed nuclear facilities and the completion of projects that were previously halted.
- The Secretary of Energy, alongside the Administrator of the Small Business Administration, will prioritize funding for companies poised for near-term deployment of advanced nuclear technologies.
EXPANDING THE AMERICAN NUCLEAR WORKFORCE: In a bid to cultivate a robust domestic nuclear workforce, President Trump is initiating measures to broaden employment pathways for Americans within the nuclear sector.
- Nuclear engineering and related careers are designated as priority areas for initiatives stemming from Executive Order 14278.
- The Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Education will work to boost participation in registered apprenticeships and career and technical education programs focusing on nuclear energy.
- The Secretary of Energy will enhance access to research and development infrastructure, workforce training, and expertise at Department of Energy National Laboratories for students pursuing nuclear engineering degrees.
STRENGTHENING THE DOMESTIC NUCLEAR FUEL SUPPLY CHAIN: To facilitate the long-term expansion of nuclear energy, federal policies will aim to maximize the value of nuclear fuel and bolster the domestic nuclear fuel supply chain.
- Currently, the nation’s nuclear fuel cycle infrastructure is severely underdeveloped, with domestic sources accounting for a mere 5% of the fuel used in U.S. reactors. Complicating matters, a policy initiated in 1977 prohibited the reprocessing of used fuel for commercial reactors, leaving the country heavily reliant on foreign uranium and enrichment services.
- The U.S. is endowed with significant reserves of uranium and thorium, capable of powering advanced nuclear reactors. The President has already taken steps to promote mining activities for these essential minerals through his Executive Order on “Immediate Measures to Increase Domestic Mineral Production.”
- This Executive Order complements the Administration’s initiatives on mineral production, ensuring that not only can the U.S. mine but also process and refine nuclear fuel domestically—an imperative for energy independence and national security.
- The challenge of nuclear waste management remains one of the most complex in the nuclear supply chain. This Order aims to unify federal agencies to devise feasible solutions.
- With approximately 60% of the nuclear workforce aged between 30 and 60, this Order is designed to create a pipeline of skilled workers to meet the growing demand in this vital industry.
UNLEASHING AMERICAN ENERGY: President Trump advocates for a comprehensive approach to reliable, dispatchable energy sources, embracing nuclear, fossil fuels, and innovative technologies to secure American energy independence and stimulate economic growth.
- On his first day in office, President Trump declared a National Energy Emergency to dismantle bureaucratic obstacles, foster innovation, and reaffirm America’s status as the world’s preeminent energy producer.
- By unleashing American energy, the administration aims to create jobs and stimulate economic prosperity, enhance the U.S. trade balance, improve our competitive stance against hostile foreign powers, strengthen alliances, and promote international peace and security.
