Trump's New Policies Regarding Nuclear Energy Development

President Trump signed an executive order to accelerate the approval process for new nuclear power plants, aiming to boost U.S. energy independence and global technological leadership. The order reduces the NRC's review period from 18 months to 12 months, reflecting urgency in strengthening the nuclear sector. While critics raise concerns about safety and environmental risks, supporters argue that nuclear energy is crucial for national security and competition with global powers like China. Overall, the administration views expanding nuclear energy as essential to shaping America’s future economy and identity.

View Article

*Source: https://www.wsj.com/personal-finance/recession-spending-anxiety-money-millennials-602509c2 

By unveiling an aggressive order of speeding up the approval of new nuclear power plants, the U.S. President Donald Trump aimed to advance the nation’s nuclear industry. Trump wanted to improve the nuclear industry in the U.S. as it would enable the U.S. to reach  energy independence and technological supremacy in the world. 

The executive order, signed in the White House’s Oval Office, mainly stated that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has the mandate to shorten and speed up its review process for new reactor designs, construction, and operational approval from 18 months to surprising 12 months. This order reflects an urgency to expand the nuclear prowess of the U.S. 

The reasoning behind Trump’s executive order is the following: nuclear energy is a linchpin, a crux in fueling the economy that is largely dependent on artificial intelligence and technology. For instance, President Trump has announced that the nuclear industry is a “hot” industry and that by 2050, he hopes to cement the U.S.’s dominance in global energy production. 

However, critics are skeptical. They claim that the emphasis on nuclear power neglects safety protocols, environmental implications, and nuclear waste management. Moreover, the detractors fear that the decline in NRC’s authority will lead to risks to public health and safety. 

From these concerns of “excessive attention to the nuclear industry”, supporters counter the critics. They state that the benefits outweigh the negativity. It is because ensuring robust energy supplies is an important strategy in an era in which geopolitical tensions and technological arms races are determining a country's values. For instance, Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum mentioned that energy policy will be crucial in securing or letting go of the trajectory of American industry. His remarks suggest that the administration’s conviction to have control over energy resources is an advantage in competition with China over AI and defense technologies. 

The Trump administration's vision on nuclear plants extends beyond reviving inactive nuclear plants. The administration’s plan also includes reactivating reactors that do not work and exploring ways to install reactors on federal lands and military bases. This multifaceted approach highlights the administration's determination to have control over energy supremacy. 

This all comes down to one thing: America is poised at a vital point in history. The decisions made today will not only shape the economy, but also shape the fabric of our national identity.

In my opinion, I believe that the U.S. should devote more attention to its nuclear sector. From the expert opinion of the Secretary of Interior on the hot industry to the nuclear industry’s advantage on artificial intelligence and defense technology, this factual evidence is showing that putting more emphasis on the nuclear industry will positively change the national identity of the U.S.