Latest News Archives

Comment Period is Open for DOE Advanced Nuclear Reactor Categorical Exclusion

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE or the Department) is establishing a categorical exclusion for authorization, siting, construction, operation, reauthorization, and decommissioning of advanced nuclear reactors for inclusion in its National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) implementing procedures. DOE is including the categorical exclusion in the component of its NEPA implementing procedures that it maintains outside of the Code of Federal Regulations. The new categorical exclusion is based on the experience of DOE and other Federal agencies, current technologies, regulatory requirements, and accepted industry practice.

GAIN Announces First Round FY 2026 Nuclear Energy Voucher Recipients

December 18, 2026 – TDOE’s Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN) program provides the nuclear community with the technical, regulatory, and financial support needed to move innovative nuclear technologies toward commercialization while ensuring the continued, safe, and economic operation of the existing fleet. GAIN voucher recipients do not receive direct financial awards. Vouchers provide funding to DOE laboratories to help businesses overcome critical technological and commercialization challenges. All awardees are responsible for a minimum 20 percent cost share, which could be an in-kind contribution. This marks the 1st round of GAIN vouchers awarded for fiscal year 2026.

GAIN Announces Fourth Round FY 2025 Nuclear Energy Voucher Recipients

November 20, 2025,
DOE’s Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN) program provides the nuclear community with the technical, regulatory, and financial support needed to move innovative nuclear technologies toward commercialization while ensuring the continued, safe, and economic operation of the existing fleet. GAIN voucher recipients do not receive direct financial awards. Vouchers provide funding to DOE laboratories to help businesses overcome critical technological and commercialization challenges. All awardees are responsible for a minimum 20 percent cost share, which could be an in-kind contribution. This marks the fourth and final round of GAIN vouchers awarded for fiscal year 2025. Please visit the GAIN website for more information on upcoming award rounds.

NASEO issues request for information in support of advanced nuclear initiative

The National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) issued a request for information (RFI) in support of the Advanced Nuclear First Mover Initiative. The RFI will inform the 11 First Mover states, as well as other observer states, on the best way to create a coordinated strategy for advanced nuclear projects.

NASEO Press Release: RFI in Support of the Advanced Nuclear First Mover Initiative

Today, the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) issued a Request for Information (RFI) in support of the Advanced Nuclear First Mover Initiative, which is led by state co-chairs New York, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Wyoming, and participating states Louisiana, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia, and West Virginia. The governors of these states are committed to delivering advanced nuclear power rapidly, safely, and cost-effectively to ensure consumers and businesses have reliable and affordable electricity for years to come.

Interim committee begins study of nuclear power for North Dakota

“When you look at our energy forecast, AI and data centers alone are driving the energy demand,” said Michelle Zietlow-Miller, the public engagement manager for “Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear. “That’s an equivalent of being the sixth largest country by themselves, in 2026.”

Offer for Material Distribution for the MSR Experiment Secondary Side Coolant Salt

Idaho National Laboratory has issued an Offer for Material Distribution (OMD), which seeks applications from prospective applicants who are interested in the Molten Salt Reactor Experiment (MSRE) secondary loop salt coolant, commonly referred to as FLiBe, that is owned by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

This offer provides an opportunity for universities, companies, or organizations that require fluoride-based molten salts for nuclear reactor applications.

Applications may support any stage of the reactor life cycle from concept through operations, and may include experiments, related testing, or direct use in a reactor.

U.S. DOE Reactor Pilot Program

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) officially kicked off President Trump’s Nuclear Reactor Pilot Program, announcing it will initially work with 11 advanced reactor projects to move technologies toward deployment. The new pilot program was created under Executive Order 14301, which reforms reactor testing at the Department and sets a goal to construct, operate, and achieve criticality of at least three test reactors using the DOE authorization process by July 4, 2026.

ST. JOHNS, AZ: A Town’s Journey Through Change

In 2020, the Arizona utility Salt River Project (SRP) announced its plans to cease coal generation at the Coronado Generating Station by 2032. This decision is set to have a profound impact not only on the power grid but also on the entire community of St. Johns, Arizona.

DOE Announces Site Selection for AI Data Center and Energy Infrastructure Development on Federal Lands

Today, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced that it has selected Idaho National Laboratory, Oak Ridge Reservation, Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant, and Savannah River Site to move forward with plans to invite private sector partners to develop cutting-edge AI data center and energy generation projects. This selection is a next step in the Trump administration’s goals of utilizing Federal lands to lower energy costs and help power the global AI race.

News Type: Latest News