Energy Policy Update: Trump Administration Proposes Bold Nuclear...

Energy Policy Update: Trump Administration Proposes Bold Nuclear Power ExpansionTrump Administration is exploring executive orders to quadruple US nuclear power capacity from 100 to 400 gigawatts by 2050. The initiative includes plans to overhaul the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and leverage United States Department of Defense resources to deploy reactors on military bases.The strategy aims to address growing #electricity demands while countering China's #nuclear advancements through streamlined safety #regulations. This ambitious target exceeds the Biden administration's previous goal of tripling capacity by the same year.There are so many areas for regulatory improvements, it’s impossible to fit a full list on this page. But let’s try, just for fun….1. Streamlined #Licensing Process — Overhaul the current lengthy and costly licensing procedures to accelerate approval of new nuclear technologies, particularly for advanced #reactors and small modular reactors (#SMR).2. Risk-Informed Regulation — Shift from prescriptive to performance-based approaches that prioritize safety outcomes while allowing flexibility in how those outcomes are achieved.3. Modernized Technical Standards — Update technical requirements to reflect advances in materials science, digital instrumentation, computational capabilities, and safety systems rather than relying on decades-old standards. Does anyone under the age of 40 even know what analog equipment looks and smells like? It smells a lot like 1970 and looks a lot like swiping no on Tinder. 4. Enhanced Staffing and Expertise — Recruit and retain specialized personnel to address the expertise gap in evaluating new designs. How wonderful would it be if we did surgical cuts instead of blunt cuts to retain the right talent? 5. Digital Transformation — Implement comprehensive digital systems for regulatory submissions, reviews, and oversight to replace paper-based processes and improve efficiency. No more paper! 6. International Harmonization — Align U.S. nuclear regulations with international standards to facilitate global deployment of reactors across borders (looking at you Canada — time to harmonize our nuclear regulatory standards and rules).7. #Cybersecurity Framework — Develop robust cybersecurity regulations specifically designed for modern nuclear facilities with #digital control systems. 8. Adaptive Regulatory Approach — Create mechanisms for continuous improvement and regulatory adaptation as technologies evolve, rather than requiring complete regulatory overhauls.Common sense reforms would position global regulators to effectively support nuclear #innovation while maintaining its core mission of ensuring #publicsafety and #environmentalprotection.“It’s is time to start moving dirt….” —someone in #Tennessee.#EnergyPolicy #CleanEnergy #Infrastructure