About this episode
Robert Bryce and Doug Sandridge join David Blackmon and Stu Turley to unpack what Trump’s bold executive orders mean for nuclear energy in America. From the push to quadruple nuclear capacity by 2050 to lessons from Germany’s energy policy reversal, the panel offers sharp analysis on the real potential and challenges of a nuclear resurgence. They also explore how U.S. global competitiveness, supply chain issues, and workforce gaps could define the next decade of nuclear development. Whether you're an energy pro or just curious about the future of power, this conversation delivers insight, urgency, and a dose of realism. Some of the key issues were around the fact that we have to lower regulations, and we have questions about the nuclear reactors on federal land. Will that help speed things up or slow them down? Can we export our nuclear reactors by possibly utilizing the military? Like the US Merchant Marines? Use them and sell the reactors as a service with Military protection, or even, like the Russians have proven, the Nuclear Reactors on ships and pull them up to a grid connection, like an LNG to Power plant configuration in Vietnam. They also explore how U.S. global competitiveness, supply chain issues, and workforce gaps could define the next decade of nuclear development. Whether you're an energy pro or just curious about the future of power, this conversation delivers insight, urgency, and a dose of realism. Robert Bryce, thank you for stopping by the Energy News Beat and the Energy Impacts podcast with David Blackmon. Both of your energy leadership skills are needed now more than ever. Douglas C. Sandridge - Thank you for taking the time to be on the podcast, even while traveling in Europe. Your passion for advocating for nuclear energy through your Oil and Gas Executives for Nuclear group is making a difference. https://theenergynewsbeat.substack.com/ https://robertbryce.substack.com/ https://blackmon.substack.com/ https://douglascsandridge.substack.com/ If you care about energy, this one’s a must-listen. Highlights of the Podcast 00:01 – Intro to the Podcast 02:40 – Executive Orders on Nuclear Energy 04:59 – Unrealistic Nuclear Growth Goals 07:55 – Need for Standardization 10:55 – Executive Orders vs. Policy 12:53 – Defense Production Act 17:12 – Merchant Marines & Nuclear Export 19:18 – Global Leadership & Costs 22:10 – Lessons from Barakah 24:00 – Oil & Gas Workforce Transition 27:34 – Nuclear Power Ships 28:59 – Natural Gas as Bridge Fuel 33:28 – Uranium & Reprocessing 39:58 – Grid & Transmission Constraints 46:46 – Data Centers and Microgrids 49:47 – Final Thoughts 52:44 – DOE Loan Program Concerns 54:03 – Where to Find us