U.S. President Donald Trump has signed a series of executive orders aimed at accelerating nuclear energy development with the goal of advancing artificial intelligence (AI) innovation. The aim is to quadruple the current production in the next 25 years.
The orders support the construction of nuclear reactors to serve as “reliable, high-density power sources” resilient to foreign threats and grid failures. These reactors will be designated as defense-critical electric infrastructure.
Advanced nuclear reactors — such as Generation III+, small modular, and microreactors — offer secure, resilient power for critical defense needs.
“Advanced computing infrastructure for AI capabilities and other mission capability resources at military and national security installations and national laboratories demands reliable, high-density power sources that cannot be disrupted by external threats or grid failures. These facilities and resources’ vulnerability to energy disruption represents a strategic risk that must be addressed,” the White House stated.
Nonetheless, the White House acknowledges that deploying this technology at the necessary scale and speed for national security remains a challenge — especially as adversaries accelerate the global development and deployment of similar nuclear energy systems.
The executive order will see the Secretary of Defense, via the Secretary of the Army, establish a nuclear energy program for installation and operational use, with a domestic military reactor operational by September 30, 2028.
The Secretaries of Energy and State will provide technical and legal guidance, and recommendations will be submitted within 240 days.