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Nuclear Power Roars Back with Trump’s Bold Executive Orders

Nuclear Power Roars Back with Trump’s Bold Executive Orders

Nuclear Energy, long overshadowed by cheaper fossil fuels and intermittent renewables, is glowing green this month after a major Trump admin move. 

On May 23, President Donald Trump signed four executive orders to turbocharge the nuclear sector, sparking a rally in nuclear stocks and reigniting investor enthusiasm. 

With AI data centers and electrification driving record-breaking electricity demand (projected to hit 4,205 billion kilowatt-hours in 2025) this executive-driven push couldn’t come at a more ideal time.

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Newest Nuclear Push is a Game Changer

President Trump’s executive orders aim to revitalize the nuclear industry by tackling its longstanding challenges with a multi-pronged approach. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) must now decide on reactor licenses within 18 months, which slashes years off permitting timelines. 

Constellation Energy’s CEO, Joe Dominguez, highlighted regulatory delays as the industry’s biggest bottleneck, once saying in response to anxious shareholders, “We’re wasting too much time on permitting.” 

The orders also permit the Departments of Energy and Defense to construct reactors on federal land, such as military bases and AI data centers, sidestepping local regulatory hurdles. 

Trump invoked the Cold War-era Defense Production Act to address U.S. reliance on foreign uranium, declaring a national emergency to boost domestic mining and enrichment. The orders also include a directive to deploy three experimental small modular reactors (SMRs) by July 4, 2026, signaling urgency to test the industry’s next frontier. While a year out may seem slow, this is a lightning pace for the historically slow-moving sector. 

These initiatives align with a nuclear revival fueled by tech giants like Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN), and Google (NASDAQ: GOOG), who are investing in nuclear to power growing AI data center footprints. 

A prime example is Constellation’s Microsoft-backed plan to restart Three Mile Island’s Unit 1 by 2028, underscoring nuclear’s growing role in meeting the U.S.’s escalating energy demands, of which nuclear currently supplies just 18%.

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The Rally is On, But Risks Linger

Nuclear stocks surged to end last week, with many posting double-digit gains in a single day, reflecting investor optimism about streamlined regulations and new reactor deployments. 

The sector has outperformed broader markets, with nuclear-focused investments up roughly 15–20% year-to-date in 2025, driven by policy tailwinds and rising energy demand. 

However, challenges persist. The U.S. hasn’t built a new large-scale reactor in decades, and past projects, like Georgia’s Plant Vogtle, ballooned $18 billion over budget. 

Proposed tax changes could cut subsidies, such as the Loan Programs Office, which supported earlier projects. Domestic uranium production remains a long-term goal, as reliance on imports won’t shift quickly. 

Additionally, unproven technologies like small modular reactors face regulatory and technical hurdles, potentially delaying commercial viability.

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The Main Takeaway

The macro backdrop is ideal. Goldman Sachs projects a 165% rise in global data center power demand by 2030, driven by AI. Nuclear’s carbon-free, reliable baseload power makes it a perfect fit, unlike wind or solar. Models suggest nuclear stocks could deliver 8–12% annualized returns over the next decade, outpacing broader utilities. High dividend yields, often exceeding 1.5% for nuclear-focused “standard” utility investments, add income appeal.

Don’t bet the farm on speculative reactor startups alone, as unproven tech and regulatory hurdles could derail timelines. 

Diversify with established players and ETFs for stability, paired with high-growth picks for upside. 

Focus on investments with strong fundamentals or contracts with tech giants, as AI-driven demand will anchor long-term growth.

VanEck Uranium and Nuclear Energy ETF (NYSEARCA: NLR)

Expense ratio: 0.60%, or $60 on a $10,000 investment.

NLR offers diversified exposure to uranium miners, reactor builders, and nuclear utilities like Constellation. Up 18% year-to-date, its 1.8% dividend yield and 0.85 beta provide stability amid market swings. Perfect for investors seeking broad nuclear exposure without single-stock risk.

Constellation Energy (NASDAQ: CEG)


The largest U.S. nuclear operator is up 22% in 2025. Its deal to power Microsoft’s data centers via Three Mile Island’s restart underscores its AI-driven growth. With $3.7 billion in trailing net profit and a 31x P/E ratio, CEG balances reliability and upside, though its 0.5% dividend yield is modest.

Oklo (NYSE: OKLO)


This SMR startup, backed by OpenAI’s Sam Altman, soared on the news and is up 123% since January. Oklo’s “build, own, operate” model, with 14 gigawatts in customer pipelines, positions it for recurring revenue by 2027. Oklo is the definitive high-risk, high-reward nuclear play. Wedbush’s $55 target suggests 17% upside, but unproven tech demands caution.

That’s it for today’s edition—thanks for reading! Reply to this email with any feedback or let me know which macro trends or markets you’d like me to cover next.

Best Regards,
—Noah Zelvis
Macro Notes