In 2024–2025, U.S. legislators made a major bipartisan leap forward on nuclear energy policy, signaling rare unity in a deeply polarized era. A centerpiece of that effort is the ADVANCE Act, which was passed overwhelmingly by the Senate (88–2) and signed into law.  The bill’s backers — including Republican Senator Shelley Moore Capito, Democrat Senator Tom Carper, and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse — describe it as a vital modernization of how the country regulates and deploys advanced nuclear technologies. The broad support underscores a growing consensus that nuclear power must play a central role in America’s long-term energy stability, climate goals, and technological competitiveness.

At its core, the ADVANCE Act reforms regulatory processes to make it easier and more cost-effective for companies to build next-generation nuclear reactors. It cuts licensing costs, reduces red tape, and creates incentives for deploying advanced designs — such as small modular reactors (SMRs) — while giving the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) more flexibility. The law also promotes redeveloping “brownfield” sites (previously used industrial areas) for new nuclear facilities, and empowers the NRC to help shape international regulatory standards. Proponents argue that these changes will unlock private-sector investment, accelerate innovation, and ensure the U.S. remains a global leader in clean nuclear technology.

While nuclear energy in the U.S. already contributes significantly to the grid, the industry has struggled to expand due to high regulatory costs, long approval timelines, and public and political resistance. The ADVANCE Act addresses these barriers by lowering licensing hurdles and streamlining review. Supporters believe this reform is essential for deploying advanced reactors that are safer, more efficient, and more flexible than traditional large-scale plants. By reducing costs and speeding up approval, the United States could more rapidly develop SMRs and other next-gen systems — which in turn helps decarbonize the power supply while also boosting national energy resilience.

Not everyone backs this push, however. Some experts and advocacy groups warn that easing regulations may come at the expense of safety. Critics have raised concerns about the potential dispersion of radioactive materials, the handling of nuclear waste, and the long-term environmental impacts of new reactor deployment. To them, faster licensing should not override rigorous safeguards. Additionally, some are skeptical that advanced nuclear is necessary when wind, solar, energy storage, and other renewables are already scaling rapidly. These opponents argue that investments should focus more on renewables, energy efficiency, and grid upgrades rather than accelerating nuclear deployment without adequately addressing risks.

Beyond the ADVANCE Act, there’s also a strong national security dimension to this nuclear strategy. On May 23, 2025, the president signed an executive order to reform the NRC, asserting that its current risk models and licensing processes are too conservative and slow. The order charges the NRC with modernizing its structure, personnel, and regulations to better support advanced reactor deployment — particularly designs with high safety potential and utility for strategic infrastructure.

Complementing this, the ARMOR Act of 2025 (S. 2389) proposes a pilot program to deploy advanced micro-reactors or small modular reactors on Army bases to provide “resilient” power to critical military infrastructure. By authorizing multi-year contracts and embedding nuclear energy within defense planning via the Office of Strategic Capital, the bill links nuclear innovation directly with national security and energy independence.

Taken together, these initiatives reflect a broad shift in how Congress and the Executive Branch view nuclear energy: not just as a clean-power option, but as a strategic asset. Reforming regulation, incentivizing private investment, and aligning nuclear development with defense objectives signal that the U.S. aims to reclaim global leadership in next-generation reactor technology. The bipartisan support for such measures also highlights a rare policy alignment at a time when many climate and energy topics are highly partisan.

Still, the road ahead is not without risk. For these reforms to succeed, government agencies — especially the NRC — must balance innovation with public oversight, ensuring that safety remains non-negotiable. The success of pilot programs like those envisioned in the ARMOR Act, as well as private-sector efforts to build SMRs, will depend on strong regulatory frameworks, cost control, and convincing local communities of their benefits. And as the U.S. pushes forward, it will need to simultaneously address long-standing challenges, such as nuclear waste storage and public perception, to truly deliver on both its clean energy and security promises.