The Energy Department will open a $17.5 billion low‑interest loan program to help utilities fund equipment for Westinghouse’s AP1000 reactor. The Treasury‑backed loans target the construction of ten new plants across the United States, with five separate packages covering two reactors each. Officials say the financing is designed to jump‑start orders that have stalled for years and preserve supply‑chain jobs as well.

The move reflects the Trump administration’s broader push to revive domestic nuclear capacity after years of cost overruns and delayed projects. By lowering financing costs, the Treasury hopes to make the AP1000 competitive against natural‑gas and renewable bids that have crowded the wholesale market. Investors will watch how the loan guarantees affect Westinghouse’s balance sheet and future order pipeline.

With the loans slated for release this week, utilities that secure financing can begin ordering critical components within months, potentially compressing construction timelines by years. The Department’s conditional commitments also signal to private lenders that federal backing is available, reducing perceived risk. The program creates a clear pathway for the United States to add 10 reactors under a government‑supported financing framework.