U.S. President Donald Trump plans to sign executive orders as early as this Friday to revitalize the nuclear energy sector by simplifying the regulatory framework for new reactor approvals and reinforcing fuel supply chains, according to the report from Reuters citing four sources.
This move follows a surge in energy demand, the first in two decades, attributed to the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence. On his inauguration day, Trump proclaimed an energy emergency.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright compared the pursuit of power resources and AI-supporting data centers to a modern “Manhattan Project,” referring to the monumental U.S. initiative during World War II to develop nuclear weaponry.
A summary draft of these orders indicates that Trump intends to invoke the Cold War-era Defense Production Act to pronounce a national emergency regarding U.S. reliance on Russia and China for enriched uranium, nuclear fuel processing, and materials needed for advanced reactors.
The orders further encourage the Department of Energy to utilize loan guarantees and direct loans to boost reactor construction. In Trump’s prior term, the Loan Programs Office was primarily utilized to support a major nuclear facility in Georgia.
Following the news, nuclear industry stocks saw significant gains in extended trading. Cameco Corp climbed 7.4%, BWX Technologies Inc increased by 5%, Oklo Inc surged 18%, and NexGen Energy Ltd rose almost 7%.
