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Reforming Nuclear Reactor Testing at the Department of Energy

On May 23, 2025, President Donald Trump issued Executive Order 14301, aimed at reforming nuclear reactor testing within the Department of Energy. The order seeks to expedite the development and deployment of advanced nuclear reactors by streamlining the testing process at the Idaho National Laboratory and other Department-controlled facilities. It mandates the Secretary of Energy to revise regulations to allow qualified test reactors to become operational within two years of application submission. Additionally, the order establishes a pilot program to construct and operate reactors outside the National Laboratories, with a goal to achieve criticality in three reactors by July 4, 2026. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to enhance the United States' energy reliability and foster technological innovation in the nuclear sector.