Privately developed U.S. nuclear reactor reaches first criticalityfirst criticality
A privately developed small nuclear reactor in the United States reached first criticality on Friday, a milestone that means it can sustain a controlled chain reaction for the first time.
The reactor was backed by the Energy Department and comes after years of work to revive new nuclear power designs in the U.S.
It matters because it could speed the path to new electricity sources and test whether smaller reactors can become commercially practical.
Energy Department and supporters
Supporters say the milestone shows U.S. companies can still deliver advanced energy technology and help expand future power supply. They argue that new reactor designs could improve reliability and reduce costs if they move beyond testing into wider use.
Trump administration
The administration has framed the project as evidence that reducing regulatory barriers can accelerate energy innovation. It has tied the reactor’s progress to broader goals of boosting domestic power production and national competitiveness.
- Small modular reactor concepts are often promoted as easier to build in factories than conventional plants.
- The first U.S. commercial nuclear reactor began operating in the 1950s, helping launch the civilian atomic age.
- Nuclear power provides steady electricity, unlike wind and solar, because it does not depend on weather.
