"The agency plans to fast-track these projects through the development process. Nuclear energy experts worry about the feasibility and safety of the plan."
"The U.S. Department of Energy has selected 11 projects for a nuclear reactor pilot program, with hopes of fully developing three of the projects by July 2026.
Under the program, the department will expedite these projects through its authorization procedure for nuclear reactors, and assign teams to work with the companies to help them through the development process, but the government will not provide any funds to the participating companies.
According to the language of the initial announcement in June, the program will “help unlock private funding and provide a fast-tracked approach to enable future commercial licensing activities for potential applicants.”
President Donald Trump issued an executive order in May instructing the Department of Energy to create the program to “foster nuclear innovation and bring advanced nuclear technologies into domestic production as soon as possible.” The order also calls for the department to revise its procedures and regulations for developing advanced nuclear reactors."
Lauren Dalban reports for Inside Climate News August 13, 2025.
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