In recent years, the United States actually saw a rare moment of political convergence around nuclear energy — a field often mired in partisan and regulatory controversy. This shift culminated with the passage of the ADVANCE Act, a comprehensive bill to modernize and revitalize America’s nuclear energy sector, which passed the Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support (88–2) in June 2024 and was signed into law on July 9, 2024. The near-unanimous vote underscored a broad, shared recognition that nuclear power — once bogged down by regulatory inertia, high costs, and uncertainty — could play an essential role in the country’s long-term energy strategy, climate goals, and national security.

At the core of the legislation is a sweeping overhaul of how the federal government approaches the licensing, regulation, and deployment of nuclear reactors — especially next-generation and advanced designs. The ADVANCE Act aims to make the regulatory framework more efficient, predictable, and cost-effective. It directs the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to facilitate the safe deployment of advanced reactors, reduce licensing costs, and offer a clearer, streamlined path to bring innovative nuclear technologies into the U.S. energy mix. Provisions include incentives for licensing advanced reactors, enabling repurposing of “brownfield” sites for nuclear use, updating the nuclear fuel cycle and supply chain infrastructure, and maintaining protections for existing nuclear capacity.

This push comes amidst decades of stagnation — even though the United States remains a major nuclear energy producer. Historically, building new reactors has been slow, costly, and clouded by regulatory uncertainty, while existing reactors have underpinned grid stability and provided carbon-free electricity. Supporters of the law argue that modernizing regulations and lowering financial and bureaucratic barriers will allow the U.S. to catch up to peers globally by deploying advanced reactor designs — including small modular reactors (SMRs) and next-generation fission plants. Many see these technologies as critical for a 21st-century energy infrastructure that balances reliability, scalability, and climate responsibility.

Nevertheless, the move toward rapid expansion has drawn substantial caution and opposition. Environmental groups, public-interest watchdogs, and some community advocates warn that streamlining licensing and reducing fees may inadvertently weaken safety oversight — especially in light of unresolved challenges such as long-term nuclear waste management, proper environmental review, and potential public health risks. Critics argue that making approval easier doesn’t negate the need for rigorous safeguards. Though no specific vote breakdown shows dissenting senators by name in the publicly available sources, the 2 “no” votes against the Senate bill underscore that concerns remained among a small minority.

Even as the law takes effect, the U.S. government — now under separate but related policy action — has taken additional steps to accelerate nuclear deployment. On May 23, 2025, the President issued an executive order titled Ordering the Reform of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, directed at reshaping the NRC’s operations to further reduce barriers to licensing and speed up deployment of new reactor technologies. The order calls for setting firm deadlines for license approvals, bringing in updated, science-based radiation exposure standards, and reconfiguring the NRC’s staffing and regulatory review process to align with the priorities of innovation and energy security.

Taken together, this legislative and executive push signals a historic pivot in U.S. energy policy: nuclear energy is no longer a sidelined or controversial option, but a central component of a diversified, climate-conscious, and security-focused energy strategy. Nuclear power supporters envision a revitalized era of nuclear deployment driven by public-private partnerships, the construction of modern reactors, and the reinvigoration of America’s nuclear industry. At the same time, opponents and cautioners stress the enduring need for transparency, rigorous safety, and long-term stewardship — reminding the public and policymakers that even as we accelerate progress, the responsibility to protect communities and the environment remains paramount.