Trump Ignites a Nuclear Revival: Bold Moves to Reinvigorate U.S. Energy
By Michael Kratsios
Fox News
May 24, 2025
In the 1953 “Atoms for Peace” address, President Eisenhower envisioned a future where atomic energy would illuminate the world—not just in a destructive sense, but as a peaceful and abundant power source. This vision initially took form as America constructed over a hundred nuclear reactors in the subsequent decades. Fast forward to today, and that once-bright promise of nuclear innovation feels more like a distant fantasy.
However, President Trump has recently signed a series of executive orders aiming to catalyze an American nuclear renaissance. For the first time in years, there’s a credible pathway to rapidly and safely test advanced nuclear reactor designs, construct new reactors at scale, and reinvigorate our domestic nuclear industry.
The stagnation in nuclear innovation wasn’t due to a lack of talent or ambition among American scientists. By the late 1970s, numerous nuclear reactors were either in the planning stages or already being built. Yet, in the last three decades, only three commercial reactors have been completed, while many others have been decommissioned. So, what went wrong?
Following the Three Mile Island incident in 1979, public sentiment towards nuclear energy took a nosedive, compounded by the emergence of cumbersome federal regulations that stifled innovation. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), established in 1975 to ensure safety, became a formidable barrier to progress. Stringent environmental regulations and protracted regulatory timelines discouraged investment in new technologies.
Moreover, the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Labs, once at the forefront of nuclear advancements, pivoted away from nuclear development, leaving behind a dearth of knowledge and infrastructure. Most of the fifty-two reactors at Idaho National Laboratory have been decommissioned, and it has been nearly fifty years since the Army Nuclear Power Program was dismantled. These shifts not only weakened our nuclear supply chain but also compromised our national security, forcing us to relearn lessons previously mastered.
Recognizing that the moment is ripe for a nuclear revival, President Trump is taking decisive action to fulfill the potential of nuclear energy for the American populace. Across the nation, innovative entrepreneurs and engineers are spearheading a new wave of nuclear enterprises, aiming to introduce groundbreaking reactor designs and scalable manufacturing processes that promise safety, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. The Trump Administration plans to eliminate the outdated barriers that past administrations erected.
Currently, nuclear power contributes around 19% of the electricity generated in the United States, surpassing both solar and wind energy combined. This is a reliable and economically viable energy source, and there’s significant room for growth. The Trump Administration envisions expanding America’s nuclear capacity from 100 GW today to 400 GW by 2050. The executive actions signed this week will facilitate this ambitious target in four key areas.
First, we will harness the capabilities of our DOE national laboratories to expedite the testing of new nuclear reactor designs. Bridging the gap between theoretical concepts and practical applications is essential, and the only way to build public confidence is through real-world demonstrations of reactor performance.
Second, for national and economic security, we will utilize federally owned land to establish nuclear reactors. This initiative will ensure we have reliable, high-density power sources that can withstand external threats and grid failures.
Third, to alleviate regulatory burdens and shorten licensing timelines, we are calling on the NRC to undergo significant cultural and regulatory reforms. The goal is to ensure reactor license decisions are made within just 18 months, thereby reducing uncertainty while still prioritizing safety. We will also reassess the use of scientifically unfounded radiation limits that are impractical and do not enhance public safety.
Finally, support for our domestic nuclear industry will span the entire nuclear fuel cycle. The President has advocated for a return to domestic uranium mining and enrichment, alongside an expansion of domestic capabilities to meet the anticipated needs of both civilian and defense reactors.
When Eisenhower articulated his vision for nuclear energy over seven decades ago, he expressed confidence that empowered scientists and engineers could transform nuclear power into a “universal, efficient, and economic” energy solution. In 2025, we must trust in our American innovators and provide them with the opportunity to reclaim nuclear energy as a pillar of energy dominance and national security.
