• Chris Wright’s Leadership in Nuclear Expansion – As Trump’s Energy Secretary, Wright prioritizes accelerating next-generation nuclear technology to establish U.S. leadership in energy innovation and commercialization.
• Bipartisan Support and Regulatory Reforms – Lawmakers, including Representative Chuck Fleischmann, back increased nuclear capacity, while Wright pushes for permitting reforms to expedite energy projects and attract private investment.
• Trump Administration’s Energy Strategy – Executive orders focus on energy abundance, reversing prior policies, fast-tracking infrastructure projects, pausing offshore wind leases, and expanding domestic drilling opportunities.

President Donald Trump’s Energy Secretary, Chris Wright, has made it clear that significantly expanding commercial nuclear power in the United States will be a cornerstone of the administration’s energy strategy. Upon taking the helm at the Department of Energy, Wright outlined his priorities, emphasizing the need to accelerate the deployment of next-generation nuclear technology to establish American leadership in the sector. In a formal directive signed on Wednesday, he asserted that the long-anticipated American nuclear renaissance must begin under the current administration, positioning nuclear energy as a key driver of the country’s energy abundance and innovation. He underscored that as global energy demand continues to rise, the United States must spearhead the commercialization of affordable and scalable nuclear energy solutions. To achieve this, the Department of Energy will leverage its research, development, and financial resources to enable rapid advancements in the industry and facilitate the export of cutting-edge nuclear technology.

The Department of Energy plays a pivotal role in fostering innovation through its extensive research and development initiatives and loan programs. Wright reaffirmed that his leadership would be dedicated to advancing energy technologies that are not only affordable but also reliable and secure. His strategy includes prioritizing a mix of energy sources, including oil and gas, geothermal, hydropower, and, most notably, advanced nuclear reactors. Recognizing the challenges associated with scaling up nuclear power, industry leaders have called for congressional support to secure necessary funding. In a letter sent on Thursday, American Nuclear Society CEO Craig Piercy urged Wright to focus on obtaining congressional appropriations to fulfill his ambitious vision for nuclear power expansion. Piercy noted that while some in the industry believe that rising electricity demand will naturally drive investment in nuclear infrastructure, others contend that substantial government support will be required to achieve cost reductions for commercial-scale nuclear plant construction. He warned that navigating the federal budget process would be a critical challenge and encouraged Wright to vigorously defend nuclear energy funding against budgetary constraints.

The push for expanding nuclear energy extends beyond the Energy Department, with bipartisan support emerging in Congress. Representative Chuck Fleischmann of Tennessee underscored the importance of increasing American nuclear capacity as part of a broader initiative to strengthen the country’s energy dominance. In announcing the formation of the American Energy Dominance Caucus, which he co-chairs with Representative Marc Veasey, Fleischmann emphasized that the expansion of nuclear energy should transcend partisan divisions. He advocated for an all-encompassing energy policy that maximizes the use of domestic energy resources to spur economic growth, create jobs, and enhance national security.

In addition to advancing nuclear power, Wright has expressed a strong commitment to streamlining regulatory processes to accelerate the development of energy projects. Consistent with President Trump’s broader energy strategy, he has identified permitting reform as a key priority, aiming to remove bureaucratic hurdles that delay project approvals and deter private sector investment. The administration has taken decisive action to increase domestic energy production, with Trump issuing executive orders on his first day in office to declare energy abundance a national emergency. These actions included overturning the Biden administration’s electric vehicle mandate, expediting approvals for energy infrastructure projects, pausing offshore wind leases, and expanding drilling opportunities on federal lands.

Wright’s appointment as Energy Secretary marks a significant shift in the Department of Energy’s approach to fostering innovation and production in the energy sector. Prior to his confirmation, he served as CEO of Liberty Energy, a natural gas company specializing in fracking, and was a board member of Oklo, a Silicon Valley-based company focused on small nuclear reactors. With his leadership, along with Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, the administration is poised to implement sweeping changes aimed at achieving unprecedented levels of American energy production. Wright’s tenure is expected to be defined by a concerted effort to modernize the country’s energy landscape, expand nuclear power’s role, and reinforce the United States’ position as a global leader in energy innovation.