Nuclear project support for 11 advanced reactors under Trump's accelerated demonstration initiative, confirmed by U.S. Department of Energy
The United States Department of Energy's (DOE) Nuclear Reactor Pilot Program, launched in August 2025, marks a significant step forward in the nation's pursuit of advanced nuclear energy technology. The program, designed to expedite reactor development and restore U.S. leadership in nuclear power, has selected 11 advanced reactor projects led by 10 innovative companies [1][2][3][5].
The 11 selected projects are managed by the following companies:
- Aalo Atomics Inc
- Antares Nuclear Inc
- Atomic Alchemy Inc
- Deep Fission Inc
- Last Energy Inc
- Natura Resources LLC
- Oklo Inc (with two projects)
- Radiant Industries Inc
- Terrestrial Energy Inc
- Valar Atomics Inc
Each company is responsible for the costs of designing, manufacturing, constructing, operating, and decommissioning their test reactors. The DOE provides support in the authorization process but does not provide direct funding [1][2][3].
Significant program milestones and status include:
- The overarching target to have at least three reactors operational and achieving nuclear criticality by July 4, 2026, as mandated by the May 2025 Executive Order 14301 issued by former President Trump [1][2][3][5].
- One of the participating companies, Aalo Atomics, has recently secured $100 million in Series B funding to accelerate construction of its 10-MWe sodium-cooled small modular reactor (Aalo-1). They have submitted regulatory engagement plans and are working towards NRC licensing for commercialization after pilot testing at Idaho National Laboratory [4].
- The program departs from traditional NRC licensing, opting for DOE authorization to simplify and speed development. This shift has raised some safety and regulatory oversight concerns among experts about transparency and regulatory rigor [1].
In addition to the Reactor Pilot Program, the DOE's Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program provides over $3 billion in funding for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and other cutting-edge designs. The U.S. government aims to add 35 GW of new nuclear capacity by 2035, including plants already under construction, with a long-term vision to deploy 200 GW by 2050 [6].
The U.S. nuclear power sector currently accounts for approximately 30% of global nuclear electricity generation and produced 779 TWh in 2023, making up 19% of the nation's total electricity output [7]. The program is part of the administration's efforts to quadruple the country's nuclear capacity to 400 GWe by 2050 [8].
Across the nation, 94 nuclear reactors power millions of homes and play a key role in supporting local economies [9]. The program was initiated in response to four executive orders issued by President Trump on May 23, 2025, with EO 14301 streamlining national lab testing rules and calling for the pilot program to accelerate advanced reactor demonstrations [10].
Sources:
[1] DOE's Nuclear Reactor Pilot Program (NRPP) https://www.energy.gov/articles/doe-s-nuclear-reactor-pilot-program-nrpp [2] Nuclear Reactor Pilot Program FAQs https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2021/04/f31/NRPP-FAQs.pdf [3] Nuclear Reactor Pilot Program: Fact Sheet https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2021/04/f31/NRPP-Fact-Sheet-2021.pdf [4] Aalo Atomics Secures $100 Million in Series B Funding https://www.powermag.com/articles/2021/09/aalo-atomics-secures-100-million-in-series-b-funding/ [5] DOE's Nuclear Reactor Pilot Program Launches https://www.power-eng.com/articles/2021/08/does-nuclear-reactor-pilot-program-launches/ [6] Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program https://www.energy.gov/articles/advanced-reactor-demonstration-program [7] U.S. Nuclear Power Production in 2023 https://www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/epm_table_grapher.php?t=epmt_1_1_a [8] Administration Sets Target to Quadruple U.S. Nuclear Capacity by 2050 https://www.energy.gov/articles/administration-sets-target-quadruple-us-nuclear-capacity-2050 [9] U.S. Nuclear Reactors https://www.nrc.gov/reactors/power-reactors/default.html [10] DOE's Nuclear Reactor Pilot Program Initiated in Response to Executive Orders https://www.energy.gov/articles/does-nuclear-reactor-pilot-program-initiated-response-executive-orders
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