Trump Announces $80 Billion Nuclear Deal for AI Energy

The administration of Donald Trump announced a nuclear energy agreement to facilitate the construction of US$80 billion worth of Westinghouse reactors. The project aims to meet the massive energy demands of artificial intelligence data centers, with a goal of having 10 new large-scale reactors under construction by 2030.

Under the terms of the deal, the U.S. government will arrange financing and assist in securing necessary permits and approvals. In exchange for this support, the government may receive a 20 percent share of future profits and a potential 20 percent equity stake in the company if its value exceeds $30 billion by 2029. The agreement involves Westinghouse Electric Company and its owners, Cameco and Brookfield Asset Management.

Safety experts and critics have warned that these financial incentives could compromise the independence of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and increase the risk of nuclear accidents. The White House dismissed these concerns, asserting that the regulatory regime remains unchanged and that the deal contains no provisions for regulatory changes.