Trump to Bolster US Nuclear Sector through Executive Directives

It is anticipated that President Trump will enact executive directives aimed at expediting the approval protocol for burgeoning nuclear reactors while bolstering U.S. nuclear fuel supply conduits. This move is principally targeted to revitalize the domestic nuclear sector. The forecast of such regulatory shifts has sparked investor interest, resulting in well-received nuclear stocks like NuScale and Oklo seeing an appreciable uptick during after-hours trading.

The White House is meticulously evaluating options proposing to escalate U.S. nuclear potential to 400 GW by mid-century. These include strategic methods such as the revamp of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) licensing process and the proposition of deploying reactors within military and Department of Energy (DOE) premises. The upcoming directives are focused on de-complicating the bureaucratic process tied to the authorization of new nuclear reactors, an effort seen as essential in response to growing concerns regarding U.S. reliance on external fuel supply chains.

The announcement has caused an undeniable stir in the nuclear industry, reflected by soaring stock values during the after-market trading session. Notably, shares of NuScale and Oklo witnessed a notable ascent by 13% and 17% respectively.

Amid this optimistic unrest, Oklo’s CEO Jacob DeWitte describes the situation as ‘good uncertainty’. This uncertainty stems from the prospective Trump administration directives that could expedite the NRC licensing process, broaden the nuclear scope within the military and DOE, and create robust U.S. nuclear fuel supply chains.

With reference to Oklo’s Q1 2025 earnings call, DeWitte confirms an ongoing ‘pre-application readiness assessment’ with the NRC. The purpose is to smoothen the impending formal license submission for an innovatively upsized 75-MW reactor model, expected to be unveiled in Q4 2025.

Despite these predictions, the management at Oklo still aims to initialize power production at their Idaho National Laboratory (INL) site either as early as late 2027 or potentially extending into the beginning of 2028.

As a noteworthy accompanying circumstance, the recent renunciation of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman from his role as Oklo board chair effectively mitigates a likely clash of professional interests. Meanwhile, Oklo has already secured around 14 GW in the form of nonbinding agreements with data centers and industrial operators.

The White House is considering four executive orders pressed with nuclear considerations. Key among them are the revamping of NRC licensing roadmap to a more timely 18-month deadline, reconsidering radiation exposure limits, and authorizing military and DOE facilities for reactor placements. These ambitious strategic shifts aim to amplify U.S. nuclear capacity propelled to 400 GW by 2050, from the contemporary standing of around 100 GW.

It’s worth noting that NRC is already enacting reforms that were proposed under last year’s ADVANCE Act. However, upcoming modifications could further reduce Oklo’s predicted 24- to 30-month licensing timeline.

Moreover, Oklo is listed among the eight enterprises eligible for participation in the military’s ‘Advanced Nuclear Power for Installations’ program. This would give them the opportunity to place reactors directly on military bases.

In parallel, Oklo is currently in the developmental stages of nuclear fuel fabrication facilities. These new facilities would offer the capability to reuse spent fuel that would conventionally be placed in long-term storage. Such progress could potentially revolutionize the way we manage and reuse nuclear waste.