The United States announced Wednesday that it has established a "clear framework" that will allow future deployment of maritime nuclear reactors, as part of the Trump administration's efforts to increase nuclear energy production.

Floating nuclear power plants are gaining increasing attention, while Russia is the only country operating such a plant (Akademik Lomonosov) in the far east of the country.

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), part of the US Department of the Interior, said it signed a memorandum of understanding with the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission to promote deployment of reactors on the outer continental shelf, which spans 3.2 billion acres off US coasts and is under federal jurisdiction.

Acting BOEM director Matt GiaComo said in a statement: "For decades, submerged reactor systems have been safely used in naval ships and military installations, confirming their ability to provide a reliable source of power in challenging marine environments," adding that this technology could "significantly enhance US energy security in the future."

For his part, Jeremy Bowen, director of the Office of Advanced Reactors at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, said the agreement sets a "clear framework" for cooperation between the two agencies, providing clarity and confidence for any party that may submit future applications, and contributing to the safe and effective deployment of emerging nuclear technologies.

Nuclear energy has long been used in warships, submarines, and icebreakers, while global interest is growing in its potential to reduce carbon emissions in the energy sector, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). However, this goal is not a priority for the Trump administration, which has sought to halt offshore wind energy projects.

According to the IAEA, Canada, China, Denmark, South Korea, Russia, and the United States are developing designs for small maritime nuclear reactors.

The Trump administration says it aims to quadruple nuclear energy production by 2050.

In contrast, the announcement raised concerns among environmental advocates. Nick Katkevich, ocean protection campaign director at the Center for Biological Diversity, said: "It seems the Trump administration has an inexhaustible supply of bad ideas for dealing with marine life, and among the worst is installing nuclear reactors on old, corroded oil platforms."

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