Trump mandated the implementation of a project to construct ten nuclear power plants within the United States.
New Development: Trump Orders Construction of Ten New US Nuclear Reactors by 2030
President Donald Trump has issued an executive order to facilitate the construction of ten new large nuclear reactors within the United States by the year 2030. According to the decree, there are also plans to enhance the capacity of existing nuclear power plants.
The move comes in the wake of recent actions taken by the Department of Energy (DOE), such as the distribution of a $1.52 billion loan to reopen the Palisades nuclear plant in Michigan, with the aim of resuming operations by October 2025 subject to Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) approval [1][3].
In an effort to streamline the nuclear regulatory process, the White House is expected to issue executive orders aimed at reducing the NRC's regulatory burden, allowing the DOE and Department of Defense to circumvent certain NRC rules [2]. This initiative is designed to expedite the construction of new nuclear facilities, bypassing the traditionally complex and lengthy NRC licensing process that has limited new reactor approvals since 1978.
Industry activity is brisk, with utilities planning to submit at least eight construction permit applications and four operating license applications for new nuclear reactors [3]. Construction on five new sites may commence soon, with two microreactors expected to become operational within two years [3].
Advanced reactors, like TerraPower’s Natrium advanced sodium-cooled reactor, are also advancing. The Natrium reactor, with a capacity of 345 MWe and integrated energy storage, broke ground near a retiring coal plant in Wyoming in 2024. Wyoming authorities have approved state permits for nonnuclear parts, and the NRC anticipates completing safety and environmental reviews by mid-2026, paving the way for construction permits [4].
Besides new constructions, plans are underway to restart retired power plants, including Palisades (Michigan), Duane Arnold (Iowa), and several others in Pennsylvania [1][3].
In Poland, although the search results do not provide specific details about nuclear power plant construction, Poland aims to build its first nuclear power plants to reduce its reliance on coal and meet climate goals, aiming for operational plants by the 2030s [5]. The country is looking to collaborate internationally but construction progress remains in early development stages.
In Estonia, no current plans or construction of nuclear power plants have been announced. The country primarily focuses on renewables and natural gas, with nuclear energy not yet actively pursued [5].
[1] https://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/the-us-nuclear-industry-plans-next-wave-of-reactor-projects[2] https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-nuclear-reform/trump-to-order-steps-to-speed-up-construction-of-nuclear-reactors-idsuskbchm3g[3] https://www.nrc.gov/wgar/ilwr/pdf/ilwr36/Volume2/ILWR36v2p2-05.pdf[4] https://www.utilitydive.com/news/advanced-reactor-showdown-us-industry-backslides-on-development/653984/[5] Relevant industry knowledge derived from external sources not directly reported in search results.
- The executive order by President Donald Trump includes plans to not only construct ten new nuclear reactors in the US, but also to enhance the capacity of existing nuclear power plants.
- As part of the effort to streamline the nuclear regulatory process, the White House is expected to issue executive orders aimed at decreasing the regulatory burden of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, allowing the Department of Energy and Department of Defense to bypass certain NRC rules.
- Poland, aiming to reduce its reliance on coal and meet its climate goals, plans to build its first nuclear power plants and expects to have operational plants by the 2030s.
