Idaho National Lab celebrates first advanced nuclear reactor startup in over 40 years under Trump program
By
Hannah Smith
Summary
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright visited Idaho National Laboratory to celebrate the startup of the first new-age nuclear reactor to go online in over 40 years. The visit comes after President Trump's Reactor Pilot Program, established by executive order in May 2025, set a goal of having three advanced nuclear reactors reach criticality by July 4, 2026. Two of the three reactors have achieved this milestone so far. The article covers the significance of the achievement for U.S. nuclear energy policy and the Trump administration's energy agenda.
Source
Twitter / XIdaho National Lab celebrates first advanced nuclear reactor startup in over 40 years under Trump programidahostatesman.comKey quotes
· 3 pulledU.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright visited the Idaho National Laboratory on Thursday after the first new-age nuclear reactor to switch on in more than 40 years did so at INL earlier this month.
In an executive order issued in May 2025, President Donald Trump created the Reactor Pilot Program with the explicit goal to have three new advanced nuclear reactors reach criticality — the ability to maintain a self-sustaining chain reaction — by July 4, 2026.
Two of three have done that so far.
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