The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has officially launched President Trump’s Nuclear Reactor Pilot Program, selecting 11 advanced reactor projects to move closer to deployment. The initiative aims to have at least three test reactors built, operational, and achieving criticality by July 4, 2026, using DOE’s streamlined authorization process.

Deputy Secretary of Energy James P. Danly noted,

“President Trump’s Reactor Pilot Program is a call to action. These companies aim to all safely achieve criticality by Independence Day, and DOE will do everything we can to support their efforts.”  

DOE Overhaul Strengthens U.S. Nuclear Leadership

The program reflects President Trump’s goal to restore U.S. leadership in nuclear power, ensuring a reliable, affordable, and diversified energy mix. It follows Executive Order 14301, signed in June 2025, which reformed DOE’s reactor testing procedures and opened the door for projects outside national laboratory sites to receive DOE authorization under the Atomic Energy Act.

The selected companies are:

• Aalo Atomics Inc.

• Antares Nuclear Inc.

• Atomic Alchemy Inc.

• Deep Fission Inc.

• Last Energy Inc.

• Oklo Inc.

• Natura Resources LLC

• Radiant Industries Inc.

• Terrestrial Energy Inc.

• Valar Atomics Inc.

Securing DOE authorization is expected to help these developers attract private investment and speed up their path toward commercial licensing.

Significantly, earlier in August, the DOE conditionally selected Oak Ridge, Tennessee-based Standard Nuclear as the first company to join its newly launched nuclear fuel line pilot program.

• READ MORE: America’s Nuclear Comeback Begins: Standard Nuclear Joins DOE’s Fuel Pilot Program 

Background and Program Scope

On May 23, 2025, President Trump issued four executive orders directing DOE to spearhead a U.S. nuclear revival. EO 14301, in particular, streamlined national lab testing rules and called for this pilot program to accelerate advanced reactor demonstrations.

The Reactor Pilot Program provides a direct DOE pathway for rapid testing and deployment. The goal is to achieve criticality for at least three new reactor designs, built outside of national laboratories, by mid-2026.

DOE began accepting applications on June 18, 2025, with the first-round closing July 21. Additional applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. According to the World Nuclear Association, the submissions showcase an exceptional range of innovation among U.S. reactor developers.

Each participating company will cover the costs of design, manufacturing, construction, operation, and eventual decommissioning of its test reactor. DOE will work closely with them to ensure safe, efficient progress toward commercialization.

U.S. Nuclear Power Snapshot

The United States is the world’s largest producer of nuclear power, accounting for approximately 30% of global nuclear electricity generation. Across the nation, 94 nuclear reactors power millions of homes and play a key role in supporting local economies.

The World Nuclear Association stated that in 2023, U.S. reactors produced 779 TWh, making up 19% of the nation’s total electricity output. In May 2025, the administration set a target to quadruple the country’s nuclear capacity to 400 GWe by 2050.

Also, according to the International Energy Agency, 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—tripling today’s capacity.

SMR Drive Gains Momentum

In another move, the U.S. Air Force chose California-based Oklo Inc. to build a microreactor at Eielson Base in Alaska, which showed growing military trust in the technology. The project was part of a broader move toward SMRs and microreactors, delivering reliable, carbon-free power where wind and solar fell short.

All in all, the DOE’s Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program complements this effort, providing over $3 billion in funding for SMRs and other cutting-edge designs.

• FURTHER READING: NuScale Secures NRC Approval for 77 MWe SMR Design, Advancing U.S. Nuclear Innovation

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