Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios
The White House is planning executive action soon to try to speed nuclear reactors' deployment, Axios has learned.
Why it matters: One or more orders will likely lean heavily on the departments of Defense and Energy as a way to meet soaring energy demand.
- The orders could seek to leverage those two agencies to avoid any licensing delays from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, one source involved with the plans told Axios.
Driving the news: More than half a dozen sources familiar with the White House's plans described their general components. The sources — from government and industry — all spoke on condition of anonymity.
- The orders view DOD — with its deep pockets, massive energy demand, and ability to absorb risks in ways the private sector can't — as a "key enabler" for nuclear.
- DOD's Army Reactor Office and DOE both have authority to regulate reactor development.
- "The idea now among those who want to keep the NRC out of the mix is: Why don't we just use a partnership between the DOD and the DOE?" the source said.
Another person who had seen a "lengthy and comprehensive" summary document said the plans covered "a wide spectrum of nuclear matters, covering both civilian and national security attributes."
- "If addressed within the four corners of a proposed executive order, [the orders] could likely bring wide acclaim from the nuclear industry," that source said.
The big picture: President Trump's administration is keen to achieve the first commercial deployment of an advanced reactor before the end of his term.
Between the lines: The White House is wrestling with how to streamline requirements as the NRC implements bipartisan legislation designed to speed up licensing reviews.
- The new orders would be in line with recent announcements from DOE and DOD to siting reactors or data center infrastructure — an idea recently floated by some Democrats.
- The NRC's role in the orders is still under debate, several sources said.
What's next: The plans have been in the works for weeks and could drop any day, all of the sources said.
