Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Reinvigorates the Nuclear Industrial Base

5/23/2025

Fact Sheets

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Action Summary

Nuclear Fuel Cycle Reinvigoration: Expedite and promote nuclear energy production to secure global industrial and digital dominance, energy independence, and national security.
Agency Coordination & Reporting: Task the Secretary of Energy—with coordination from Defense, Transportation, and OMB—to assess spent fuel management, commercial recycling policies, and nuclear waste utilization; develop plans for expanding uranium conversion and enrichment capabilities.
Plutonium Disposition & Industry Consortia: Direct creation of a program to process surplus plutonium for advanced reactor fuel while leveraging the Defense Production Act to secure voluntary agreements with domestic companies; support formation of nuclear industry consortia across the fuel supply chain.
Accelerating Nuclear Energy Production: Utilize federal financial resources, including loans and loan guarantees, to restart, complete, uprate, and expand nuclear plants; aim to facilitate 5 GW of reactor power uprates and construction of 10 new reactors by 2030.
Advancing Nuclear Workforce Development: Expand pathways for nuclear energy careers by enhancing registered apprenticeships, technical education programs, and access to DOE National Laboratories for university students.
Strengthening the Domestic Nuclear Supply Chain: Pursue policies to maximize nuclear fuel value, address permitting challenges, revitalize mining and processing of uranium and thorium, and develop solutions for nuclear waste treatment.
Unleashing American Energy: Declare a National Energy Emergency to remove bureaucratic barriers, foster innovation, create jobs, improve trade balances, and strengthen U.S. competitiveness and security across energy sectors.

Risks & Considerations

The Executive Order’s focus on nuclear energy could lead to increased federal funding and support for nuclear-related research and development. This may present opportunities for Vanderbilt University to expand its research initiatives in nuclear engineering and energy policy.
There is a potential risk that the emphasis on nuclear energy might divert resources and attention away from other renewable energy research areas, which could impact funding and support for programs focused on solar, wind, and other sustainable energy sources.
The expansion of the nuclear workforce and related educational programs could necessitate adjustments in Vanderbilt’s curriculum and partnerships with industry to align with national priorities in nuclear energy education and training.
Vanderbilt may need to consider the implications of increased nuclear energy production on environmental policies and community engagement, particularly in terms of nuclear waste management and public perception of nuclear energy.

Impacted Programs

Vanderbilt School of Engineering could see increased demand for its nuclear engineering programs and research initiatives, potentially leading to new partnerships with federal agencies and industry stakeholders.
The Vanderbilt Institute for Energy and Environment may need to expand its focus to include nuclear energy policy and its implications for environmental sustainability and energy independence.
Career Services at Vanderbilt might need to develop new pathways and partnerships to support students pursuing careers in the nuclear energy sector, including apprenticeships and technical education programs.
The Office of Research could play a crucial role in securing federal grants and funding for nuclear-related research projects, leveraging the increased focus on nuclear energy by the federal government.

Financial Impact

The prioritization of federal loans and loan guarantees for nuclear energy projects could create new funding opportunities for Vanderbilt’s research and development initiatives in nuclear technology and energy policy.
Vanderbilt University might experience changes in its funding landscape, particularly if federal discretionary grants prioritize nuclear energy research and workforce development. This could necessitate adjustments in grant application strategies and collaborations.
As nuclear energy becomes a national priority, there could be increased opportunities for Vanderbilt to secure funding for research and development in nuclear engineering and policy, particularly through collaborations with the Department of Energy and other federal agencies.
The expansion of the nuclear workforce could lead to increased demand for educational programs and training in nuclear engineering, potentially affecting tuition revenue and financial aid distribution at Vanderbilt.

Relevance Score: 4 (The order presents a need for potential major changes or transformations of programs.)

Key Actions

Vanderbilt’s School of Engineering should explore opportunities to expand its nuclear engineering programs and research initiatives. By aligning with federal priorities on nuclear energy, the school can secure funding and partnerships to enhance its educational offerings and research capabilities.
The Office of Federal Relations should engage with the Department of Energy and other relevant federal agencies to identify potential funding opportunities for research and development in nuclear technologies. This proactive approach can position Vanderbilt as a leader in nuclear energy innovation.
Vanderbilt’s Career Center should develop partnerships with nuclear energy companies to create internship and apprenticeship programs for students. This will help build a pipeline of skilled workers ready to enter the nuclear workforce, aligning with national workforce development goals.
The Department of Political Science should conduct research on the implications of nuclear energy policies on national security and international relations. This research can provide valuable insights and contribute to policy discussions at the national level.
Vanderbilt’s Environmental and Sustainability Studies Program should explore the environmental impacts of nuclear energy expansion and develop strategies to address nuclear waste management challenges. This can enhance the university’s role in promoting sustainable energy solutions.

Opportunities

The executive order presents an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s School of Engineering to collaborate with national laboratories and industry partners on advanced nuclear reactor technologies. By leveraging its expertise, the school can contribute to the development of next-generation nuclear energy solutions.
Vanderbilt can capitalize on the increased focus on nuclear energy by hosting conferences and workshops on nuclear technology and policy. This can establish the university as a hub for thought leadership in the nuclear energy sector.
The emphasis on expanding the nuclear workforce offers an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Career Center to enhance its career and technical education programs. By aligning with federal workforce development initiatives, the center can support students in pursuing careers in the nuclear industry.
By engaging with federal agencies and industry stakeholders, Vanderbilt can position itself as a leader in the national conversation on nuclear energy policy and innovation. This can enhance the university’s reputation and influence in shaping energy policy.

Relevance Score: 4 (The order presents the potential for major process changes required for Vanderbilt’s programs due to opportunities in nuclear energy research and workforce development.)

Average Relevance Score: 3.4

Timeline for Implementation

By 2030: The Department of Energy is tasked with facilitating 5 GW of power uprates to existing nuclear reactors and the construction of 10 new large reactors.

No other directives in the order mention an explicit deadline, so the only timeline found is the one targeting 2030.

Relevance Score: 1

Impacted Government Organizations

Department of Energy (DOE): Charged with expediting nuclear production, managing nuclear waste programs, expanding uranium conversion and enrichment capabilities, and supporting related domestic fuel supply chain measures.
Department of Defense (DoD): Involved in coordinating with the DOE on nuclear energy policies, particularly as they pertain to national security and defense reactor needs.
Department of Transportation (DOT): Tasked to coordinate with the DOE, likely to ensure safe and efficient transportation of nuclear materials.
Office of Management and Budget (OMB): Works in coordination with the DOE and other agencies to plan and evaluate policies related to nuclear fuels and fiscal support for nuclear energy initiatives.
Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC): Consulted by the DOE for developing plans and maintaining regulatory oversight over aspects of nuclear fuel production and waste management.
Small Business Administration (SBA): Involved in prioritizing funding for companies that may deploy advanced nuclear technologies, supporting near-term innovations in nuclear energy.
Department of Labor (DoL): Engaged in expanding pathways for employment in nuclear energy, including revitalizing and training the nuclear workforce.
Department of Education (DoE): Tasked with increasing participation in career and technical education and registered apprenticeships in the nuclear sector.

Relevance Score: 3 (Multiple Federal Agencies, totaling eight, are impacted by the comprehensive nuclear energy and workforce initiatives outlined in the directive.)

Responsible Officials

Secretary of Energy – Leads multiple initiatives including reporting on nuclear fuel management, expanding uranium conversion capacity, creating a surplus plutonium disposition program, and overseeing the development of nuclear industry consortia and energy production efforts.
Secretary of Defense – Coordinates with the Secretary of Energy on reporting and planning to secure national security related to nuclear industrial operations.
Secretary of Transportation – Collaborates in the initiative for reporting and evaluating policies related to the nuclear fuel cycle.
Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) – Provides coordination and consultation on developing plans and evaluating policies for nuclear fuel management.
Chair of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission – Consulted by the Secretary of Energy in developing a plan to expand nuclear fuel conversion and enrichment capabilities.
Administrator of the Small Business Administration – Works with the Secretary of Energy to prioritize funding for companies deploying advanced nuclear technologies.
Secretary of Labor – Tasked with increasing participation in nuclear energy-related apprenticeships and workforce development programs.
Secretary of Education – Collaborates in increasing participation in career and technical education programs related to nuclear energy.

Relevance Score: 5 (Directives involve high-level Cabinet officials and agency heads responsible for strategic initiatives in the nuclear energy sector.)