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US President Donald Trump has ordered to increase production of nuclear energy (nuclear power) in the country. They have targeted to increase it by 300% in the next 25 years.
Trump signed the order related to it at the Oval Office of the White House on Friday. During this, he said that now is the time of nuclear energy and we are going to produce it on a large scale.
Trump signed a total of four orders. These include accelerating the process of approval of nuclear reactors, improving nuclear regulatory commission, starting three reactors by 4 July 2026 and increasing investment in industrial base of this technology.
Closed plants will be resumed
According to AP report, Trump in his order has asked the Energy and Defense Department to resume the closed nuclear plants that are closed.
At the same time, the federal government has asked to explore the possibilities of creating new reactor on land. These will also include US military hideouts.
America in second place in the world in electricity consumption
American ranks second after China in terms of power consumption. In 2023, a total of 4200 Terravot-Hour (TWH) consumed electricity in the US. That is, on an average, 11.5 Twhh power was consumed daily.
Currently, 19% of the total electricity of America comes from nuclear power. It was 775 TWH in 2023. If Trump’s plan is successful, then one third of the country’s power will be generated by nuclear power.
There are total active nuclear power plants in the US, with 94 reactor working. The most reactor of these is Illinoy state. Their number is 11.
In the last few years, some reactors have been closed due to cheap options like natural gas and renewable energy.
Trump accused of weakening the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)
Trump is being accused of weakening the Atomic Regulatory Commission (NRC). In his order, Trump has given the Energy Secretary the right to approve new projects, limiting the role of NRC.
At the time of Barack Obama, NRC chief Gregori Jazko said, “It seems as if someone has asked AI how to ruin America’s nuclear policy.
Weakening the strict monitoring of NRC may increase the risk of accidents.