Nuclear's Comeback: What Renewables Professionals Should Know

The clean energy transition isn't a zero-sum game – it's a team effort. And one player is stepping back into the spotlight with renewed strength: nuclear energy. With the President's signing of four new Executive Orders on May 23, 2025, nuclear is poised to play a major role in a future defined by clean, reliable power. From next-generation technologies to small modular reactors (SMRs) that promise flexibility and innovation, nuclear is no longer just a legacy option – it's shaping up to be one of the most exciting frontiers in clean energy. Now's the time to pay attention – and maybe even get curious.

The four executive orders signed last week are aimed at rapidly expanding the U.S. nuclear energy industry, including reforms to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to accelerate reactor licensing and reduce bureaucratic barriers. These orders set ambitious goals such as tripling nuclear capacity to 400 gigawatts by 2050, completing ten new large reactor designs