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President Trump is taking decisive action to strengthen scientific discovery in America, rebuild public trust in science, and accelerate advanced nuclear technologies.

Under President Trump’s leadership, America will usher in a nuclear energy renaissance. After decades of stagnation and shuttered reactors, President Trump is providing a path forward for nuclear innovation. Today’s executive orders allow for reactor design testing at DOE labs, clear the way for construction on federal lands to protect national and economic security, and remove regulatory barriers by requiring the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to issue timely licensing decisions.

Over the last 30 years, we stopped building nuclear reactors in America – that ends now. Today’s executive orders are the most significant nuclear regulatory reform actions taken in decades. We are restoring a strong American nuclear industrial base, rebuilding a secure and sovereign domestic nuclear fuel supply chain, and leading the world towards a future fueled by American nuclear energy. These actions are critical to American energy independence and continued dominance in AI and other emerging technologies.

America’s nuclear energy industry has been stymied by red tape and outdated government policies, but thanks to President Trump, the American nuclear renaissance is finally here.  With the emergence of AI and President Trump’s pro-American manufacturing policies at work, American civil nuclear energy is being unleashed at the perfect time. Nuclear has the potential to be America’s greatest source of energy addition. It works whether the wind is blowing, or the sun is shining, is possible anywhere and at different scales. President Trump’s executive orders today unshackle our civil nuclear energy industry and ensure it can meet this critical moment.

President Trump’s executive orders expand America’s Energy Dominance agenda. As energy demand continues to surge, expanding our existing nuclear fleet and investing in advanced nuclear technologies ensures we have reliable energy to power our homes, fuel for President Trump’s manufacturing revolution, and a stronger electric grid. 

DOE estimates that a single 1,000-megawatt nuclear power plant could produce up to 150,000 tons of hydrogen each year. This could be sold regionally as a commodity for fertilizers, oil refining, steel production, material handling equipment, fuel cell vehicles, or even carbon-neutral synthetic fuels.

Hydrogen has the potential to play a significant role in the nation’s transition to 100% clean energy.

It can be used across multiple sectors to store and deliver usable energy to power the grid, drive industrial processes, or create energy dense fuels needed for long-haul trucks and airplanes.

But, around 95% of the hydrogen currently produced in the United States comes from natural gas—resulting in carbon emissions.

That’s why the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is investing billions of dollars to help lower the cost and scale up the production of clean hydrogen by leveraging the nation’s existing energy assets, including nuclear power plants.

Most of the hydrogen currently produced in the U.S. is made through steam-methane reforming. In this process, methane reacts with high-temperature steam to produce carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen.

One way to produce hydrogen without emissions is through low- and high-temperature electrolysis by splitting water into pure hydrogen and oxygen. High-temperature electrolyzers use both heat and electricity to split water and are more efficient.

Traditional and advanced nuclear reactors are well-suited to provide this constant heat and electricity needed to produce clean hydrogen, which could open new markets for nuclear power plants.

Texas is on the precipice of passing landmark legislation that will put Texas at the center of the nuclear renaissance. Texas is on track to create a taxpayer-funded nuclear power incentive fund after a critical vote in the Texas Senate. The Texas Senate passed a legislative proposal that will dedicate an estimated $350 million of public dollars to pay for the development of nuclear power in Texas.

That’s far below the $2 billion first suggested for the fund and even further below what some state officials had hoped would be allocated to the nuclear fund when it was first conceived late last year.

Despite the reduction, industry insiders see the bill’s advancement in the Legislature as a clear signal that Texas’ political leadership sees a future in nuclear power. That segment of the power industry has languished in recent years in cost overruns and a cumbersome federal approval process

Texas, a state known for its vast energy resources, currently operates two nuclear power plant sites with a total of four reactors. The South Texas Project Electric Generating Station, located near Bay City, and the Comanche Peak Nuclear Power situated near Glen Rose, each of these facilities houses two operational nuclear reactors.

Texas produces around 5,000 MW of electricity from 4 nuclear power reactors on a near constant basis. Nuclear power is a key component of the state’s energy mix, contributing a substantial portion of its electricity. This production is not just about meeting current demands but also about planning for a future where clean and reliable energy sources become increasingly important.

Texas is home to over 300 Power Plants, including nuclear, natural gas, coal, wind, and solar facilities. These plants are strategically located across the state to meet the energy needs of its vast and diverse population efficiently. The history of these plants, including when and where they were built, reflects the state’s evolving energy priorities and its response to technological advancements and environmental considerations.

Texas’ use of nuclear power is driven by several factors. Firstly, nuclear energy provides a stable and reliable source of electricity, essential for a state with a large and growing population. Additionally, nuclear power plays a crucial role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, aligning with broader environmental goals. The state’s commitment to nuclear energy also stems from its desire to diversify its energy sources, ensuring energy security and resilience against market fluctuations and natural disasters.

The two nuclear power plants in Texas generate a near constant ~5,000 MW of power, capable of powering millions of homes and businesses. The capacity and output of Texas’ nuclear power plants are a testament to their efficiency.

The high energy density of Nuclear Power means these plants can produce large amounts of electricity from a relatively small amount of fuel, compared to other energy sources. This efficiency is crucial in a state as large and energy-hungry as Texas, where the demand for electricity is constantly growing due to its booming population and economy.

Nuclear energy plays a vital role in Texas diverse energy portfolio. Depending on the total energy demand of the state, Texas’ nuclear power plants account for about 8-12% of the state’s total electricity generation, complementing other sources like natural gas, coal, wind, and solar power.

This balanced energy mix is crucial for Texas, providing stability and resilience to its power grid. Nuclear power’s consistent and reliable output is particularly valuable in meeting base-load demand while also helping to reduce the state’s carbon emissions.