President Donald Trump signed a series of executive orders May 23 intended to overhaul the regulation of commercial nuclear reactors and speed the process of building and deploying nuclear power.
During the signing, which was attended by the CEOs of major nuclear-related companies, Trump argued the "technology has come a long way, both in safety and cost." The orders realize a long-held Republican goal of deregulating nuclear power.
According to a senior White House official, the four executive orders aim to expedite reactor research & development, streamline regulations to allow the Pentagon and other agencies to build reactors on federally owned land, change the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and sets new timelines for its consideration of construction permits, and expand domestic uranium production and enrichment capabilities.