Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Directs Reform of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission

MODERNIZING NUCLEAR REGULATION: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order directing the reform of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in order to reduce our dependence on foreign technologies, decrease regulatory barriers, and support our domestic nuclear industry.

- This Order directs the NRC to complete rulemakings within 18 months to comprehensively revise its regulations and guidance documents, with a focus on balancing safety concerns with the benefits of nuclear energy for our economy and national security. The revisions will include:Establishing fixed deadlines for evaluation and approval of licenses, including an 18-month deadline for construction and operation of new reactors and a 12-month deadline for continued operation of an existing reactor.Adopting science-based radiation limits, instead of relying on flawed radiation exposure models.Revising regulations governing compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act.Establishing an expedited pathway for approving reactor designs that have been safely tested by the Department of Defense or Department of Energy.Establishing a process for high-volume licensing of microreactors and modular reactors, including allowing for standardized applications.

Reconsidering regulations limiting license terms, extending those terms as appropriate.

- Establishing fixed deadlines for evaluation and approval of licenses, including an 18-month deadline for construction and operation of new reactors and a 12-month deadline for continued operation of an existing reactor.

- Adopting science-based radiation limits, instead of relying on flawed radiation exposure models.

- Revising regulations governing compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act.

- Establishing an expedited pathway for approving reactor designs that have been safely tested by the Department of Defense or Department of Energy.

- Establishing a process for high-volume licensing of microreactors and modular reactors, including allowing for standardized applications.

- Reconsidering regulations limiting license terms, extending those terms as appropriate.

REALIGNING NRC CULTURE AND PERSONNEL: President Trump is directing the NRC to reform its culture and realign its organization to reflect Congress’ directive to rapidly promote nuclear power while ensuring reactor safety.

- When licensing and regulating civilian nuclear power, the NRC is directed to consider the benefits of nuclear power to our economic and national security in addition to traditional concerns regarding safety, health, and environmental factors.

- This Order directs a reorganization of the NRC to promote the expeditious processing of license applications and the adoption of innovative technology.

- The NRC will create a dedicated team to draft the new regulations directed by the Order.

REFORMING THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION: President Trump is committed to reestablishing the United States as a global leader in nuclear energy, which will create tens of thousands of high-paying jobs and generate American-led prosperity and resilience.

- Since 1978, only two new nuclear reactors have begun construction and entered into commercial operation. Meanwhile, in just a single day, President Trump is signing twice as many Executive Orders to start a nuclear renaissance in the United States.

- Due to an overly risk-averse culture that requires, for example, nuclear facilities to emit as little radiation as possible, including below naturally-occurring levels, the NRC has failed to license new reactors even as technological advances promise to make nuclear power safer, cheaper, more adaptable, and more abundant than ever.

- The Order establishes that U.S. policy will seek to facilitate the increased deployment of new nuclear reactor technologies and expand American nuclear energy capacity from around 100 GW today to 400 GW by 2050.

- Energy independence, deregulation, and reducing barriers to building infrastructure have been hallmarks of President Trump’s second term, and reforming the NRC will represent a significant milestone across these critical policy areas.

UNLEASHING AMERICAN ENERGY: President Trump believes in supporting all forms of reliable, dispatchable energy, harnessing nuclear, fossil fuels, and emerging technologies to secure American energy independence and fuel economic growth.

- On Day One, President Trump declared a National Energy Emergency to eliminate bureaucratic barriers, unleash innovation, and restore America’s position as the world’s leading energy producer.

- Unleashing American energy will create jobs and economic prosperity, improve the United States’ trade balance, help our country compete with hostile foreign powers, strengthen relations with allies and partners, and support international peace and security.