As the U.S. faces rapidly growing energy demand, nuclear power is reinforcing its role as a critical pillar of national energy strategy. Technology companies are rapidly signing long-term agreements to purchase power from the existing nuclear fleet, and expanding the U.S. nuclear-generating capacity will be a necessary but not quick effort. Effective planning and siting have never been more important, and recent executive orders from the White House highlight just how essential these efforts are to national energy goals.
On May 23, 2025, the Trump administration issued four executive orders aimed at revitalizing the U.S. nuclear sector. These directives highlight the need for strategic planning, positioning early siting studies and technology evaluations as critical steps for utilities and developers to identify locations for future generation and to generate demand signals that support deployment of the most suitable technologies.
Here are links to President Donald Trump's executive orders, along with brief descriptions describing how they target key barriers to the nuclear sector's growth:
- Reinvigorating the Nuclear Industrial Base, focusing on rebuilding domestic manufacturing and fuel supply capabilities.
- Deploying Advanced Nuclear Reactor Technologies for National Security, emphasizing near- and long-term benefits of deploying Generation III+ and Generation IV systems to support grid and defense resilience.
- Ordering the Reform of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, aimed at modernizing legacy licensing frameworks and accelerating reviews for new reactor technologies.
- Reforming Nuclear Reactor Testing at the Department of Energy, conceived to strengthen design validation and accelerate collaboration across government, industry and academia.
While these executive orders are tailored to support a more efficient nuclear regulatory process, the initial steps of early siting and project planning are unlikely to be affected. Delaying the start of these efforts until future regulations are finalized will place potential owners and operators at a disadvantage compared to those with an established plan for siting, permitting, and project sequencing.
Steps to Enhance Nuclear Energy Resilience and Planning
Building nuclear capacity begins with strategic siting studies. These studies assess candidate sites based on exclusionary criteria, including population density, seismic activity, industrial hazards and proximity to military installations. Once unsuitable locations are eliminated, additional criteria like water supply, grid access, soil conditions and environmental impacts are analyzed to narrow down viable options.
Community engagement is essential early in the planning process. Transparent communication helps address public concerns and build trust, increasing the likelihood of project success. Following established guidelines such as NRC Regulatory Guide 4.7 and EPRI siting criteria provides a structured and defensible framework for site selection, even as regulatory reform efforts continue to evolve. While changes to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission may eventually reshape siting expectations, these current standards remain a valuable resource for early-stage planning.
Investing in advanced reactor technologies like Generation III+ and Generation IV is another pillar of nuclear energy resilience. Generation III+ reactors are advanced light-water systems developed from decades of operational experience with earlier reactor designs, using conventional low-enriched uranium fuel and incorporating enhanced safety features such as passive cooling systems. These designs typically require operator intervention within a defined time frame to maintain safe shutdown conditions during loss-of-power events, offering improved reliability over previous generations.
Generation IV reactors represent a significant shift in nuclear design philosophy. These systems frequently incorporate alternative coolants such as molten salt, liquid metal or gas, and are engineered to operate at higher temperatures with improved fuel efficiency. Many Gen IV concepts use high-assay low-enriched uranium fuel and feature “walk-away” safety — passive systems that require no operator action or external power to maintain safe conditions. While promising, these reactors face current challenges with supply chain readiness and licensing pathways — challenges that the recent executive orders are designed to help mitigate by streamlining certification processes and accelerating market deployment.
Developing a Project Sequencing Plan
Developing a nuclear project also requires a phased sequencing plan — a structured road map that outlines each development stage and its associated objectives. This approach facilitates smarter resource allocation, reduces risk and provides clarity on how to advance nuclear energy projects from concept to operation. These major steps reflect critical milestones in this process, helping align technical requirements with regulatory reviews and investment planning:
- Feasibility and siting studies. This initial phase involves evaluating potential locations, assessing infrastructure capacity, and engaging with local community members and vested parties. It allows developers to test project viability with relatively low financial commitment.
- Early site permit (ESP). Once a preferred site is selected, the ESP process under 10 CFR Part 52 enables preapproval of site characteristics, including seismic, environmental and emergency planning parameters. Securing an ESP requires more substantial investment but provides flexibility to select reactor technology later.
- Combined license (COL). After technology selection, the COL phase brings together site-specific reactor design and operational requirements into a single, comprehensive license application. If the design has been pre-certified by the NRC and an early site permit has been awarded, this phase can be relatively efficient.
- Construction and commissioning. Once permitted, the final phase includes construction, testing and commissioning. The NRC oversees inspections, tests and operational readiness through the Inspections, Tests, Analyses and Acceptance Criteria process before commercial operation begins.
Taking the First Step
Successfully navigating nuclear development starts with structured planning. Early-stage siting studies, clear investment strategies and regulatory engagement are vital for mitigating risks and building confidence. With energy demand rising and new policy support emerging, this is an opportune moment to engage in thoughtful nuclear planning.
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