The Trump admin has already released many huge executive orders. This one is the biggest so far.
Because a Trump cabinet member released a surprising order that has ground-breaking consequences for the nation.
Trump’s Energy Secretary Sees Nuclear Energy As Game-Changer For Energy Dominance
Under President Donald Trump’s administration, the U.S. energy sector is witnessing a renewed focus on nuclear power, with Energy Secretary Chris Wright prioritizing the expansion of commercial nuclear energy as a key component of American energy innovation. Wright, who was confirmed as Energy Secretary earlier this week, laid out his vision for the Department of Energy (DOE), stressing that nuclear power will play a crucial role in meeting the nation’s growing energy demands.
In a bold move, Wright signed an order on Wednesday, calling for the long-awaited American nuclear renaissance to begin during the Trump administration. As global energy demand continues to rise, the United States, he argued, must lead the way in the commercialization of affordable and abundant nuclear energy. His statement reads:
“The long-awaited American nuclear renaissance must launch during President Trump’s administration. As global energy demand continues to grow, America must lead the commercialization of affordable and abundant nuclear energy. As such, the Department will work diligently and creatively to enable the rapid deployment and export of next-generation nuclear technology.”
This initiative reflects the Department of Energy’s commitment to fostering energy innovation through research and development (R&D). Wright emphasized that the DOE’s expansive R&D capabilities and loan portfolio are essential in supporting the creation of cutting-edge energy technologies, including advanced nuclear, oil and gas, geothermal, and hydropower.
While Wright’s vision is ambitious, American Nuclear Society CEO Craig Piercy highlighted in a letter that achieving the goals set forth by the Energy Secretary will require substantial government support, particularly in the form of congressional appropriations. Piercy suggested that Wright focus on securing the necessary funding to fulfill his promises of advancing the nuclear power industry, including the development of innovative reactors.
“Many in the industry think additional government support will be needed to reach nth-of-a-kind nuclear plant construction costs, while others believe rising electricity demand alone will take care of that in time,” the letter states. “Either way, as secretary of energy, you will need appropriations to engineer any kind of nuclear ‘win.’ You will spend more time than you think preparing budgets, arguing with the Office of Management and Budget over what’s included, and then defending said budgets on Capitol Hill. Don’t let the bean counters steal from you!”
Chris Wright sees the importance of securing the necessary resources to ensure the success of nuclear power initiatives, which may require sustained investment and political advocacy to navigate the challenges of the budgeting process. There’s a difficulty in balancing the need to invest in infrastructure without letting federal budgets continue to spiral out of hand, which is something the Trump administration has been critical of.
Some Bipartisan Support for Nuclear Expansion
Wright’s efforts to revitalize nuclear energy are not limited to the Department of Energy. Representative Chuck Fleischmann (R-Tenn.), a strong advocate for increasing American nuclear capacity, echoed the need for bipartisan support in a statement announcing the creation of a new bipartisan Energy Dominance Caucus. Co-chaired by Fleischmann and Representative Marc Veasey, the caucus aims to promote energy independence and the expansion of all forms of American-made energy, with a particular emphasis on new nuclear energy technologies.
“I am excited to announce the creation of the new American Energy Dominance Caucus that I will Co-Chair alongside Rep. Marc Veasey. Increasing the production of all forms of American-made energy, especially new nuclear energy, should never be a partisan issue,” Fleischmann remarked. “To meet our growing electrical demands, America needs an ‘all-of-the-above’ energy policy that utilizes every form of American-made energy to create jobs, grow our economy, and secure our energy independence.”
This bipartisan push highlights the widespread recognition that nuclear energy has an important role to play in the nation’s energy future, with lawmakers from both sides of the aisle supporting its development and integration into a comprehensive energy policy.
Secretary Wright’s focus on nuclear energy aligns closely with President Trump’s ambitious vision of energy dominance. As part of his administration’s push to increase U.S. energy production, Trump made energy independence a central theme of his campaign and policy agenda. His administration’s early days saw a series of executive orders aimed at achieving energy dominance, including a declaration of energy abundance as a national emergency.
Wright has echoed Trump’s commitment to ensuring the U.S. becomes a global energy leader, focusing on generating energy abundance through a diverse mix of power sources and reducing regulatory barriers to accelerate the construction of new energy projects. One of Wright’s priorities is to streamline the permitting process for energy infrastructure projects, encouraging private sector investment and further solidifying the U.S.’s position as an energy powerhouse.
Chris Wright brings extensive experience to his role as Energy Secretary. Before his confirmation, Wright served as the CEO of Liberty Energy, a company specializing in natural gas and hydraulic fracturing (fracking). He also held a position on the board of Oklo, a Silicon Valley-based nuclear power company focused on developing small modular reactors. His background in both natural gas and nuclear energy positions him well to navigate the challenges of advancing America’s energy agenda.
Alongside Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Wright will play a pivotal role in ensuring the successful realization of President Trump’s energy goals, from increasing domestic production to fostering the next generation of energy technologies. As the Trump administration pushes forward with its “energy dominance” agenda, the continued development of nuclear power is expected to be a cornerstone of the country’s strategy to meet rising energy demand and secure a sustainable, independent energy future.
The Federalist Wire will update you on any Trump administration reports on energy-related issues.
