Reinvigorating the Nuclear Fuel Cycle: Trump Administration Moves to Accelerate New Energy Production

Strategic Insights -

President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order to expedite and promote the production and operation of nuclear energy, a move to secure the nation's energy independence, achieve energy independence, and protect its national security. The Order directs various government agencies to develop a national policy to support spent nuclear fuel management, evaluate policies regarding commercial recycling and reprocessing of nuclear fuels, and expand domestic uranium conversion capacity and enrichment capabilities. The Order also aims to increase participation in nuclear energy-related careers, prioritize funding for companies with potential for near-term deployment of advanced nuclear technologies, and strengthen the domestic nuclear fuel supply chain.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Executive Order tasks the Secretary of Energy to develop a national policy to support spent nuclear fuel management, evaluate policies regarding commercial recycling and reprocessing of nuclear fuels, and expand domestic uranium conversion capacity and enrichment capabilities.
  • The Order aims to increase participation in nuclear energy-related careers, with 60% of the nuclear workforce between the ages of 30 and 60, and generate a pipeline of workers to supply the demand for this crucial industry.
  • The Department of Energy will prioritize the facilitation of 5 GW of power uprates to existing nuclear reactors and construction of 10 new large reactors by 2030.
  • Federal loans and loan guarantees will be prioritized to support increased nuclear energy, including restarting closed nuclear power plants and completing construction of prematurely suspended plants.
  • President Trump is leveraging the Defense Production Act to seek voluntary agreements with domestic nuclear energy companies for the procurement of enriched uranium and for consultation regarding methods to enhance domestic capability to manage spent nuclear fuel.
  • The Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Education will increase participation in nuclear energy-related registered apprenticeships and career and technical education programs.
  • The Secretary of Energy will increase access to R&D infrastructure, workforce, and expertise at Department of Energy National Laboratories for college and university nuclear engineering students.
  • The Federal government shall pursue policies to maximize the value of nuclear fuel and expand the domestic nuclear fuel supply chain.

Statistics:

  • 60% of the nuclear workforce is between the ages of 30 and 60 (Source: Executive Order)
  • 5 GW of power uprates to existing nuclear reactors will be facilitated (Source: Executive Order)
  • 10 new large reactors will be constructed by 2030 (Source: Executive Order)
  • Domestic fuel sources supply only about 5% of the fuel used in US reactors (Source: Executive Order)
  • 1977: The Federal government introduced a policy that did not allow reprocessing of used fuel for commercial reactors (Source: Executive Order)
  • The United States possesses ample deposits of uranium and thorium that can power advanced nuclear reactors (Source: Executive Order)

Sources:

  • The White House - Executive Order: "Reinvigorating the Nuclear Fuel Cycle"