Trump signs executive orders to streamline nuclear power expansion

President Donald Trump on Friday signed executive orders aimed at streamlining the expansion of nuclear power in the United States as part of his effort to foster American energy dominance.

Attending the ceremony were industry leaders in commercial nuclear energy and members of an energy council that Trump established in February. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Energy Secretary Chris Wright have spearheaded the effort.

The first order, as described by an aide, aims to "speed up the approval and adoption process for specialized nuclear reactors at these sorts of sites. It also involves the Department of Energy making available the necessary fuel stock. It also creates a special envoy position, and a strategy around nuclear technology, export the idea being that we can grow American industry on the back of foreign purchasers who are interested in the sort of technology, as well."

The second order aims to streamline the regulatory and approval process "with an end goal of quadrupling the amount of nuclear power production in the next two and a half decades."

His third order addressed nuclear reactor testing and reformed the regulatory process around it. Another order addressed expanding the nuclear industrial base. He also signed an order aimed at "restoring gold standard science."

Trump has long touted energy production as a means of achieving American security and economic independence as well as driving his plan to bring down costs.