WASHINGTON — 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.”
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.
The NRC has overseen commercial nuclear reactors for 50 years since its creation in 1975. Amid concerns over overregulation, the U.S. has only two operational commercial reactors whose construction was approved since 1978.
If you have news tips related to nuclear threats and national security, please contact Davis Winkie via email at dwinkie@usatoday.com or via the Signal encrypted messaging app at 770-539-3257. Davis Winkie’s role covering nuclear threats and national security at USA TODAY is supported by a partnership with Outrider Foundation and Journalism Funding Partners. Funders do not provide editorial input.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission, permitting to change via Trump order
