The Department of Energy (DOE) has announced a series of initiatives aimed at increasing the deployment and development of nuclear power in the United States. According to the department, these actions are part of a broader strategy under President Trump’s administration to make energy more affordable and reliable.
Officials state that previous policies led to higher energy costs and a less stable power grid. They cite an increase in electricity prices by 30% during the Biden administration, which they say was 13 times faster than the previous seven years. Projections indicated that over 100 gigawatts (GW) of reliable power were expected to retire by 2030, while only 22 GW were anticipated to be added.
“Nuclear Power will play an important role in unleashing more affordable, reliable and secure electricity to the American people,” according to the statement.
The DOE has outlined steps taken to support President Trump’s goal of expanding American nuclear energy capacity from around 100 GW in 2024 to 400 GW by 2050. This includes efforts such as revitalizing domestic supply chains and sponsoring new reactor projects through programs like the Energy Dominance Financing Program, established under the Working Families Tax Cut.
“Building out the next generation of American nuclear is an investment in our growing energy needs today, and once built, will become another 80-year asset for future generations,” said officials from the department.
Recent actions include a $2.7 billion investment announced in January 2026 for strengthening domestic enrichment capabilities, particularly focusing on low-enriched uranium (LEU) production. In December 2025, $800 million was awarded to TVA and Holtec for advancing small modular reactors. The DOE also provided a $1 billion loan in November 2025 for Constellation’s Crane Clean Energy Center Restart project in Pennsylvania.
In October 2025, a strategic partnership was formed with Cameco Corporation and Brookfield Asset Management aimed at developing Westinghouse’s nuclear technologies domestically and internationally. Other measures throughout mid-2025 involved selecting companies for pilot projects related to advanced nuclear fuel lines, making conditional commitments for HALEU supply, site selections for AI data centers on federal lands, and launching pilot programs focused on advanced reactor development.
On May 23, 2025, President Trump issued four executive orders concerning national security deployment of advanced reactors; reforming both the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and reactor testing procedures; as well as supporting the nuclear industrial base.
In April and August of that year, further conditional commitments were made regarding HALEU supplies intended to meet near-term needs of U.S.-based developers. Secretary Wright’s first Secretarial Order prioritizing commercial nuclear power was issued on February 5, 2025.
