INVC NEWS
Washington, DC — : A massive revival of nuclear energy is underway in the United States as former President Donald Trump signs a sweeping executive order to increase nuclear energy production by 300% over the next 25 years. The announcement, made from the Oval Office, marks a decisive shift in the nation’s energy policy, emphasizing nuclear as the cornerstone of future American power generation.
The ambitious initiative outlines four major actions: accelerating the approval of new nuclear reactors, reforming the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), starting three reactors by July 4, 2026, and expanding investment in the industrial base supporting nuclear infrastructure. Trump declared that the U.S. is entering a “nuclear energy era”, committing to large-scale, long-term development to meet surging domestic power demands.
The plan includes restarting shut-down nuclear power plants that were previously closed due to market pressures from cheap natural gas and renewables. Both the Department of Energy and the Department of Defense have been instructed to spearhead these restarts, as well as to explore the construction of new reactors on federal land — including U.S. military bases.
The United States, currently second only to China in electricity consumption, used 4,200 terawatt-hours of power in 2023, with 19% of that—775 terawatt-hours—coming from nuclear sources. Under the Trump-backed expansion strategy, one-third of the nation’s electricity could be nuclear-powered within the next two and a half decades.
Today, the country operates 94 nuclear reactors spread across various power plants, with Illinois leading the count at 11 active units. However, several plants have been retired in recent years, reflecting economic shifts that favored natural gas and solar/wind alternatives. This new policy push is expected to reverse that trend, providing the regulatory and financial framework to reinvigorate America’s nuclear energy industry.
Reforms to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission are central to the plan. Trump’s directive aims to streamline licensing procedures and eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks that have historically slowed down the construction and operation of new nuclear facilities. The goal is to establish a faster, more innovation-friendly regulatory environment that encourages private sector participation.
Infrastructure spending is another key pillar. Investments will target reactor design innovations, uranium supply chains, safety modernization, and manufacturing capabilities, ensuring that the U.S. nuclear sector is both globally competitive and domestically reliable. Plans also involve mobilizing public-private partnerships to drive R&D and accelerate deployment of small modular reactors (SMRs) and next-generation nuclear technologies.
By focusing on clean, scalable, and efficient energy, this policy may also help the United States address grid stability issues and reduce dependence on fossil fuels, especially during peak demand periods. It signals a renewed commitment to energy independence and resilience.
