Trump Administration Accelerates Deployment of Advanced Nuclear Reactors
The President of the United States, Donald Trump, on 23 May 2025, signed an Executive Order to rapidly deploy advanced nuclear technologies. The initiative powers defence infrastructure and artificial intelligence (AI) data centres to strengthen USA as a world leading country in nuclear energy. This is part of the broader strategy to enhance energy resilience through reduced reliance on vulnerable power grids while at the same time presenting nuclear innovation.
National Security and AI Infrastructure at the Core
The Executive Order emphasize AI data centres and digital infrastructure linked to the Department of Energy (DOE)-as national security critical assets-by declaring those facilities as essential defence installations. By doing so, the administration seeks to ensure that new capabilities in AI feature the nation are powered using energy from advanced nuclear reactors, where such power can be counted on to be stable and high capacity.
Additionally, to accelerate the deployment of next-generation reactors, the Department of Energy will make 20 metric tons of high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) available for commercial use. The act further opens the possibility of privately financing nuclear fuel recycling and fabrication facilities on federal lands. The federal agencies are also encouraged by the executive order to use streamlined environmental review processes, including possible categorical exclusions under the National Environmental Policy Act, in accelerating reactor construction timeframes at federal sites.
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Expanding Influence of US Nuclear Power Globally
Nuclear diplomacy and exportation are also highlighted in the order. Under Section 123 of the Atomic Energy Act, the Secretary of State will coordinate negotiations to allow US companies to sell nuclear technologies to other countries. In 90 days, the agencies must lay out their plans for expanding international financing and tech assistance for American nuclear projects so America can stand as the preferred partner in the nuclear market around the world.
The Executive Order renewed by President Trump, acts as a pillar for advanced nuclear energy in national defence and competitiveness within the US economy. Secure energy for critical technologies with advantage in deployment into domestic and international matters would aim at transforming the future face of nuclear energy leadership.
