In recent years, the world has seen a historic rise in energy demand — an acceleration of the “Age of Electrification”. This has been driven by a number of factors, including the global electrification of industry,...more
After a busy 2025 for the nuclear power industry and its federal regulators, the opening days of 2026 have made clear that this trend is only accelerating in the year ahead. With data centers, cloud computing, and AI driving...more
The NRC has issued a Federal Register notice confirming the January 8, 2026 effective date of its direct final rule implementing the requirements of Executive Order 14270, Zero-Based Regulatory Budgeting to Unleash American...more
The NRC saw major staffing transitions in 2025, including an unprecedented number of vacancies at the senior staff level. As 2026 kicks off, the Commission has returned to a full slate of five, and the agency has filled...more
President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order directing the reclassification of marijuana under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). This reclassification, along with the growing number of states that allow...more
On November 18, 2025, the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued its Staff Requirements Memorandum for SECY-24-0009, which proposed changes to the NRC Enforcement Policy governing regulated materials and civil penalties. The...more
The nuclear power industry in 2025 is undergoing a renaissance, fueled by the urgent need for reliable energy to meet growing demands from sectors like AI and data centers....more
Under the auspices of Section 5 of Executive Order 14300, Ordering the Reform of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) published on November 26, 2025 an immediately effective final rule,...more
This is the tenth article in Womble Bond Dickinson’s Energy & Natural Resources thought leadership series titled “Going Nuclear: A Sustainable Solution to Rising Energy Demand.” The series will explore the changing landscape...more
As part of the response to four executive orders focused on expanding and accelerating the development and use of nuclear energy, the US Department of Energy and US Nuclear Regulatory Commission have signed Addendum 9 to...more
The federal government's recent momentum toward deploying advanced nuclear technologies has brought renewed attention to a long-standing but often overlooked question: which agencies actually have the authority to build and...more
The new Technology Prosperity Deal (TPD), formalized earlier in September through a memorandum of understanding between the United States (U.S.) and the United Kingdom (UK), aims to foster collaboration on strategic science...more
The federal government shut down at 12:01 am on October 1, 2025 in the absence of legislation to appropriate funds for government operations. In the event of a temporary lapse of appropriations, agencies including the US...more
For companies subject to regulatory oversight of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Tuesday could mark the beginning of a critical chapter in the agency’s history. ...more
As the United States faces escalating energy demands amid advancing resource-intensive technology and aging infrastructure, nuclear power has rematerialized as a central pillar of national and state-level energy strategies....more
Throughout 2025, several US states have taken steps to facilitate development of new nuclear reactors. Complementing several recent executive orders of the US administration in support of nuclear energy, including plans to...more
In just over one year since its passing, the Accelerating Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy (ADVANCE) Act has begun to unlock new opportunities for advanced nuclear energy projects, streamline...more
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or Commission) issued a Staff Requirements Memorandum (SRM) on July 28, 2025, directing NRC staff to proceed with rulemaking to implement the National Environmental Policy Act...more
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) unveiled its Reactor Pilot Program – also known as the 10 Reactor Fleet Program – in reaction to one of the May 23, 2025 Executive Orders directed at nuclear energy. Section 5 of Executive...more
On May 23, 2025, President Trump issued four executive orders regarding the development of nuclear energy. These orders encompass reforms to the Department of Energy’s (DOE) nuclear reactor testing, accelerated deployment of...more
On June 18, 2025 the Department of Energy (“DOE”) issued a Request for Application (“RFA”) for a Reactor Pilot Program to construct and operate advanced nuclear reactors outside of the National Laboratories. This program is...more
As the U.S. faces surging electricity demand from AI data centers, infrastructure upgrades and decarbonization goals, nuclear energy is re-emerging as a viable clean power source. Central to this 2025 revival is the U.S....more
The clean energy transition isn’t a zero-sum game – it’s a team effort. And one player is stepping back into the spotlight with renewed strength: nuclear energy. With the President’s signing of four new Executive Orders on...more
On May 23, 2025, President Trump signed four Executive Orders intended to expedite the development and deployment of American nuclear technology. The orders would affect the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (“NRC”), the...more
President Donald Trump signed four executive orders (EOs) on May 23, 2025, related to nuclear energy—three of which seek to expedite approval processes for permitting new nuclear reactors. The EOs collectively aim to harness...more