Executive Order to Reform the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and Unlock America's Nuclear Energy Potential

The White House has announced a far-reaching executive order to reform the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and unlock America's nuclear energy potential. The order, signed by President Donald Trump on May 23, 2025, aims to overcome bureaucratic hurdles and regulatory barriers that have stifled the development of nuclear power in the United States.

The NRC has been criticized for its slow and inefficient licensing process, which has led to a significant backlog of applications. Between 1954 and 1978, the United States authorized the construction of 133 civilian nuclear reactors, but since 1978, only two new reactors have entered commercial operation. The order seeks to address this issue by streamlining the licensing process, reducing bureaucratic hurdles, and promoting the adoption of new reactor technologies.

Key Takeaways:

• The NRC will be reorganized to promote the expeditious processing of license applications and the adoption of innovative technology.
• The NRC will establish fixed deadlines for its evaluation and approval of licenses, license amendments, license renewals, and other activities, with maximum time periods of 18 months and 1 year for new and existing reactors, respectively.
• The NRC will adopt science-based radiation limits and reconsider reliance on the linear no-threshold (LNT) model for radiation exposure.
• The NRC will establish an expedited pathway to approve reactor designs that have been tested and demonstrated to function safely.
• The NRC will establish a process for high-volume licensing of microreactors and modular reactors.
• The NRC will revise and streamline its regulations and guidance documents to reduce unnecessary burdens and be responsive to credible risks.

Statistics:

• The NRC has authorized only 2 new reactors to enter commercial operation since 1978, despite the United States having authorized 133 civilian nuclear reactors between 1954 and 1978.
• The NRC charges applicants by the hour to process license applications, leading to prolonged timelines and maximized fees.
• The NRC's current licensing process takes an average of 10-15 years to complete.
• The United States aims to expand its nuclear energy capacity from approximately 100 GW in 2024 to 400 GW by 2050.

Sources:

• Executive Order 14158 (January 20, 2025) - Establishing and Implementing the President's "Department of Government Efficiency"
• Executive Order 14154 (January 20, 2025) - Unleashing American Energy
• Accelerating Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy Act of 2024 (Public Law 118-67)