Trump's Nuclear Energy Revamp: Fast-Tracking Reactor Licensing
President Trump has ordered the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to expedite the licensing of reactors, aiming to cut the process from years to 18 months. The directive includes reforming the commission and leveraging Defense Department resources, while also boosting uranium production in response to demand from data centers and AI.
In a pivotal move to boost the nuclear energy sector, U.S. President Donald Trump has directed the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to accelerate reactor licensing processes. Currently spanning up to a decade, Trump aims to reduce this timeframe to 18 months, as announced in a series of executive orders signed on Friday.
This initiative seeks to reverse over 50 years of regulations in the industry. As part of the overhaul, the administration is calling for collaboration between the Energy and Defense departments to establish nuclear plants on federal lands, with a particular focus on military bases.
Moreover, the orders aim to revitalize U.S. uranium production and normalize regulatory procedures. However, there are concerns over possible safety and security flaws due to reduced regulatory independence, as cautioned by former Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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