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President Donald Trump has ordered a total reinvigoration of nuclear power. Under his ambitious order, every aspect of the nuclear cycle will be reimagined from power plant construction to nuclear licensing.

Big issues like waste disposal and recycling of used fuel are again on the table. The whole of the nuclear fuel cycle is also up for consideration.

The glad news for vendors is that the federal government, across departments and agencies, will be pushing for a new golden age for nuclear power.

The ubiquitous question in the industry: Will the government provide a financial backstop for new plant construction? Reactors, large and small, and even fusion devices, along with new fuels are ready for the marketplace. Will they get the government’s financial support (the backstop), talked about so frequently in nuclear circles.

The industry was poised for a leap forward before Trump’s sweeping declaration which opens many new commercial possibilities all the way along the fuel chain, as well as raising many questions and some concerns.

But the prospect remains that after decades of stagnation, there could be a nuclear power gold rush. The market wants it, the tech giants need it, the engineering is ready, but the financing is still uncertain.

The United States Energy Association, as part of its ongoing series of virtual press briefings on vital energy issues, will examine the new reality in the nuclear power sector on Wednesday, June 11, at 11 a.m. EDT.

A panel of senior journalists who write about nuclear power will question a panel of experts who are at the center of the possible new nuclear golden age. The briefing, broadcast live on Zoom will last a little over an hour -- longer if needed. A recording will be available on both the USEA and the Energy Central websites, and on Spotify and Apple.

The program has been organized and will be moderated by writer and broadcaster Llewellyn King.

The briefing is free and open to the press, the public and the membership of USEA, but registration is required.