Morning Briefing - June 19, 2025
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June 18, 2025

DOE unveils pilot program to test advanced nuclear projects

By ExchangeMonitor

The Department of Energy has announced a new pilot program to expedite the testing of advanced nuclear reactor designs at the department’s national laboratories.

The DOE intends to streamline the nuclear reactor testing and hopes to have “at least three reactors achieve criticality by July 4, 2026,” according to its Wednesday press release.

Created in accordance with President Donald Trump’s May 23 executive order “Reforming Nuclear Reactor Testing at the Department of Energy”,  DOE issued a request for application and is seeking U.S. nuclear companies interested in building and operating reactors at national labs.

The DOE will use its authorization process to allow for the construction and operation of the reactors to be tested at its national laboratories.

Initial applications for the pilot program are due by July 21, DOE said. The advanced reactor applicants will be selected on a competitive basis on a set of criteria, including technological readiness, site evaluations, financial viability, and a detailed plan to reach criticality, according to DOE.

The DOE said it will consider advanced reactors with “a reasonable chance” to operate by the July 4, 2026 deadline.

Applicants will be responsible for all costs associated with constructing, designing, manufacturing, operating and decommissioning each test reactor, according to DOE.

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NEW: Via public records request, I’ve been able to confirm reporting today that a warrant has been issued for DOE deputy asst. secretary of spent fuel and waste disposition Sam Brinton for another luggage theft, this time at Las Vegas’s Harry Reid airport. (cc: @EMPublications)

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