US Government Support for Next-Generation Reactor Deployment: Utilizing Military Bases and National Laboratories, with Nuclear Safety Regulatory Reform Also in View - EP REPORT EWN (Issue 2146)

Overview

An analytical article published by the Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry in "EP REPORT EWN (Issue 2146)" regarding the Trump administration's nuclear policy. The article provides detailed analysis of four executive orders signed on May 23, 2025, focusing on support for next-generation reactor deployment and nuclear safety regulatory reform. ## Key Points ### 1. Article Overview - **Author**: Kenta Horio (Senior Researcher, Socio-economic Research Institute, Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry) - **Publication Date**: June 21, 2025 - **Subject**: Analysis of executive orders on Trump administration's nuclear policy - **Background**: Concerns about U.S. decline in nuclear sector and rise of China and Russia ### 2. Trump Administration's Situational Assessment - **Current Status**: - Decline of U.S. position as pioneer in nuclear field - 87% of reactors starting operation since 2017 designed abroad (China/Russia) - Acceleration of nuclear technology export by competitors - **Goal**: "Revival of the United States as a global leader in the nuclear field" ### 3. Ambitious Numerical Targets - **2050 Target**: Expand domestic nuclear power generation capacity to 400GW - **2030 Targets**: - Increase output of existing reactors by 5GW - Begin construction of 10 reactors - **Note**: Given administration term (until January 2029), policies are more important than targets ### 4. Support for Next-Generation Reactor Deployment (Main Highlight) - **Target Next-Generation Reactors**: - Generation III+ (advanced light water reactors) - Generation IV reactors (non-light water reactors) - Small Modular Reactors (SMR) - Microreactors - **Specific Measures**: - Department of Defense (DOD): Begin operation at military bases by September 30, 2028 - Department of Energy (DOE): Begin operation at national laboratories within 30 months - Maximum utilization of federal facilities and nuclear materials ### 5. Additional Instructions to DOE - **Nuclear Fuel Related**: - Identify fuel utilization possibilities of owned uranium/plutonium - Provide at least 20 tons of High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) - **Research and Development**: Promote construction and operation of research reactors - **Significance**: Government resources supporting private-led nuclear development ### 6. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Reform - **Background Recognition**: Inefficient regulatory administration as cause of nuclear stagnation - **Requirements**: - Consider economic and national security benefits - Organizational restructuring for expedited review - **Related Laws**: Extension of NEIMA and ADVANCE Act ### 7. Specific Safety Regulatory Reforms - **Review Period Caps**: - New construction: 18 months - Existing reactor life extension: 12 months - **Fundamental Review**: - Review of current regulations - Review of LNT (Linear No-Threshold) hypothesis - Review of ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) principle - **Approval Acceleration**: Simplified review for reactors proven at DOD/DOE ### 8. Other Measures - **Existing Reactor Related**: - Review of life extension periods - Consider restarting closed reactors for military facilities - Utilize existing measures such as debt guarantees - **Nuclear Fuel Cycle**: Policy recommendations, uranium conversion/enrichment planning - **International Cooperation**: Promote conclusion of nuclear cooperation agreements ### 9. Implementation Examples and Future Outlook - **Eielson Air Force Base Microreactor**: - June 11, 2025: Oklo Inc. selected - Liquid metal-cooled fast reactor "Aurora" - Test case for deployment support based on executive order - **Challenges**: - Variation in effectiveness and specificity - Need for budget backing - Trends in Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and federal Congress This article analyzes important policy documents indicating a major shift in U.S. nuclear policy, providing essential information for understanding future directions of the global nuclear industry.