Trump Cut Nuclear Red Tape. Now His Administration Is Picking Winners.
The Trump administration is promoting nuclear energy by providing surplus plutonium to energy startups for use in commercial reactors. This initiative follows a series of executive orders aimed at revitalizing the nuclear industry and streamlining regulatory processes. As a result, private investment in advanced nuclear technologies has surged significantly in recent years.
- ▪The Energy Department is giving surplus plutonium to five energy startups for nuclear reactor fuel.
- ▪Trump's administration issued executive orders to accelerate the nuclear industry, including a revision of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's regulations.
- ▪Private investment in advanced nuclear companies reached $783.3 million in 2024, a significant increase from the previous year.
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Energy & Environment Trump Cut Nuclear Red Tape. Now His Administration Is Picking Winners. The Trump administration can build on its success in the nuclear industry by getting out of the way. Tosin Akintola | 5.29.2026 3:25 PM Share on FacebookShare on XShare on RedditShare by emailPrint friendly versionCopy page URL Add Reason to Google Media Contact & Reprint Requests <img src="https://d2eehagpk5cl65.cloudfront.net/img/c800x450-w800-q80/uploads/2026/05/Trump-Nuclear-5-27-800x450.jpg" style="max-width: 100%; height: auto" width="1200" height="675" title="Donald Trump holding up an executive order with nuclear cooling towers in the background" alt="Donald Trump holding up an executive order with nuclear cooling towers in the background | Illustration: Adani Samat.
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