The U.S. Senate has passed a major bipartisan bill aimed at strengthening the country’s nuclear energy sector, with a vote of 88–2. The legislation is designed to streamline the process for approving new nuclear power plants and reduce licensing fees. It also directs the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to simplify environmental review procedures. This bill was paired with legislation reauthorizing the U.S. Fire Administration and firefighter grants.
The move reflects a broader national effort to modernize energy infrastructure as many existing nuclear plants near retirement. The U.S. previously led the world in nuclear technology but has since fallen behind countries like China due to delays and rising costs. The legislation, supported by both parties, seeks to revive the nuclear industry and bolster long-term energy security.
To support this initiative, President Trump issued executive orders requiring the NRC to accelerate license approvals and reduce regulatory burdens, targeting an 18-month window for action. Federal subsidies and tax incentives have also been extended for new and existing nuclear projects, as long as construction begins before 2029. The plan sets an ambitious goal to triple domestic nuclear capacity to 400 gigawatts by 2050.
In parallel, OpenAI and Oracle announced new developments under their “Stargate” initiative, which aims to massively expand U.S. AI infrastructure. The companies plan to build five new data center sites with a combined capacity of around 7 gigawatts and an investment of $400 billion over the next three years. These sites are expected to create over 25,000 jobs.
New facilities are being developed in Texas, New Mexico, the Midwest, Ohio, and other undisclosed locations. Some projects are already under construction. These centers are projected to significantly impact energy consumption, potentially using up to 12% of the nation’s electricity by 2028.
In addition to OpenAI, major tech companies like Microsoft, Meta, Amazon, and Nvidia are also investing heavily in data centers and AI infrastructure, reflecting a broader trend of rapid expansion in this sector.
