As we have previously written, the rise in data center development has significantly increased predicted electricity demand.
As a reliable, carbon-free source of baseload power with an average capacity factor of 93% in the United States, nuclear energy is well-suited for powering data centers. On May 23, 2025, President Donald Trump signed four executive orders intended to accelerate the development of US nuclear energy, in part to provide reliable power for data centers.
From the executive order Reforming Nuclear Reactor Testing at the Department of Energy:
Advanced reactors—including microreactors, small modular reactors, and Generation IV and Generation III+ reactors—have revolutionary potential. They will open a range of new applications to support data centers, microchip manufacturing, petrochemical production, healthcare, desalination, hydrogen production, and other industries.
From the executive order Ordering the Reform of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission:
[Nuclear energy] can power not only traditional manufacturing industries but also cutting-edge, energy-intensive industries such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing.
From the executive order Deploying Advanced Nuclear Reactor Technologies for National Security:
Advanced computing infrastructure for artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities and other mission capability resources at military and national security installations and national laboratories demands reliable, high-density power sources that cannot be disrupted by external threats or grid failures. These facilities and resources' vulnerability to energy disruption represents a strategic risk that must be addressed.
For more information and a summary of the four nuclear executive orders, read our recent LawFlash.