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WASHINGTON — President Donald J. Trump signed a sweeping executive order Friday aimed at reviving the U.S. nuclear energy sector, strengthening domestic fuel production, and boosting energy independence through accelerated nuclear reactor development.
The order, titled Reinvigorating the Nuclear Industrial Base, directs the Department of Energy and other federal agencies to take coordinated actions to rebuild America’s nuclear fuel cycle, support new reactor construction, and expand workforce training.
Key provisions include:
- Fuel Cycle Revamp: Agencies must deliver a national policy within 240 days to manage spent nuclear fuel, expand uranium enrichment, and establish reprocessing programs. Plans must also address legal and logistical barriers to fuel recycling and transport.
- Enrichment Expansion: Within 120 days, the Energy Department will propose a plan to expand capacity for low and high enriched uranium, supporting both civilian and defense reactors.
- Industry Partnerships: The administration will seek voluntary agreements with domestic nuclear companies to strengthen supply chains and promote commercial recycling of nuclear fuel.
- Plant Development Goals: The Energy Department will prioritize facilitating 5 GW in uprates to existing reactors and the construction of 10 new large reactors by 2030.
- Workforce Investment: Within four months, federal departments must take steps to increase apprenticeships and educational support in nuclear-related careers, while prioritizing federal funding toward these programs.
Trump’s order underscores a national shift toward energy self-reliance, emphasizing nuclear power’s role in defense, infrastructure resilience, and industrial competitiveness.
