EXECUTIVE ORDER 26-04

WHEREAS, ensuring reliable and affordable energy is critical to the State of Missouri’s economic growth and development; and

WHEREAS, demand for electricity is increasing significantly compared to recent decades; and

WHEREAS, over the past decade, Missouri went from a net electricity exporting state to a net electricity importing state; and

WHEREAS, Missouri’s reliance on energy imports reduces the state’s interstate competitiveness to attract energy-intensive manufacturing and technology employers; and

WHEREAS, on May 23, 2025, President Donald J. Trump signed Executive Order “Ordering the Reform of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission” with the purpose of facilitating the increased deployment of new nuclear reactor technologies for national security; and

WHEREAS, the executive order established the policy of the United States to facilitate the expansion of American nuclear energy capacity from 100 GW in 2024 to 400 GW by 2050; and

WHEREAS, preserving American energy dominance by increasing energy supplies is fundamental to manufacturing onshoring; regional grid reliability; rural energy infrastructure and domestic agricultural production; and empowering American industries to adapt to changing market environments; and

WHEREAS, nuclear power generation is a cornerstone of Missouri’s current energy generation portfolio; and

WHEREAS, I instructed Missouri’s State Energy Office within the Department of Natural Resources to develop a new State Energy Plan, to be published this year.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, MIKE KEHOE, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and Laws of the State of Missouri, do hereby establish the Missouri Advanced Nuclear Energy Task Force as follows:

  1. COMPOSITION

    The Task Force shall consist of the following members:

    1. The Chair of the Missouri Senate Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy, and the Environment, or designee;
    2. The Chair of the Missouri House of Representatives Committee on Utilities, or designee;
    3. The Director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, or designee;
    4. The Director of the Missouri Department of Economic Development, or designee;
    5. The Chair of the Missouri Public Service Commission, or designee;
    6. A representative from each investor-owned electric utility company operating in the state of Missouri, appointed by the Governor;
    7. A representative of municipal electric utilities, appointed by the Governor;
    8. A representative of Missouri electric cooperatives, appointed by the Governor;
    9. A representative from a non-profit organization that works on expanding affordable electricity in Missouri, appointed by the Governor;
    10. Two representatives from Missouri Higher Education Institutions with nuclear science programs, appointed by the Governor;
    11. A representative of the agriculture industry, appointed by the Governor; and
    12. Other members as appointed by the Governor.

    The Governor shall designate a Chair and Vice Chair of the Task Force.

  2. SUPPORT

    Staff from the Department of Natural Resources’ State Energy Office, in coordination with staff from the Governor’s Office and in consultation with other staff from organizations represented, shall provide necessary support, including but not limited to, research, data analysis, and administrative assistance.

  3. OBJECTIVES

    The Task Force shall:

    1. Facilitate the timely implementation of the recommendations from the new State Energy Plan as they relate to nuclear electricity generation either directly or indirectly.
    2. Identify public-private partnership opportunities to support the implementation of recommendations from the new State Energy Plan, as they relate to nuclear electricity generation.
    3. Identify and explore solutions to critical workforce shortages that may delay nuclear development.
    4. Explore partnerships with federal agencies to help reduce permitting delays and increase access to financing mechanisms for nuclear power generation.
    5. Stay informed on and provide updates and recommendations to the Governor on topics including but not limited to:
      1. Advanced nuclear technologies including but not limited to large scale advanced reactors, small modular reactors, and microreactors
      2. National trends and policy updates in nuclear energy
      3. Companies interested in operating or investing in advanced nuclear generation, technology, research, commercialization, and workforce development in Missouri
      4. Spent nuclear fuel disposal and security
      5. Legislative and regulatory reforms that would facilitate the timely and safe deployment of advanced nuclear projects, while protecting consumer interests as they relate to affordability and environmental considerations.
  4. REPORTING

    The Task Force shall submit an annual report to the Governor, the Missouri Senate Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment, and the Missouri House of Representatives Utilities Committee. The report shall include a list of recommendations to advance nuclear energy generation development and actions taken by the Task Force to date in aide thereof. Reports shall be due annually on December 1, in advance of the annual regular legislative session of the Missouri General Assembly. The report shall also include descriptions of barriers that pose challenges to timely implementation of State Energy Plan recommendations and nuclear energy deployment along with recommendations from the Task Force for overcoming or removing those barriers to implementation.

  5. COMPENSATION

    Members of the Task Force shall serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties, subject to availability of funds.

  6. DURATION

    This Order and the Task Force shall dissolve upon submission of the Task Force’s third annual report, unless extended or dissolved by subsequent executive action.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Missouri, in the City of Jefferson, on this 13th day of January, 2026.

[signature of Michael Kehoe] 
MIKE KEHOE
GOVERNOR

ATTEST:

[signature of Denny Hoskins] 
DENNY HOSKINS
SECRETARY OF STATE

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