DOE Launches Nuclear Testing Program Outside Labs, Raising Oversight Concerns

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Energy on Wednesday announced a new pilot program allowing private companies to construct and operate experimental nuclear reactors outside of national laboratories. The move, enabled under an executive order issued by former President Donald Trump, marks a significant shift in how advanced reactor technologies are tested and reviewed.

The program encourages U.S. reactor developers to seek DOE authorization under the Atomic Energy Act to test next-generation designs at non-federal sites. According to the department, the goal is to have at least three reactors achieve criticality by July 4, 2026.

Applicants must cover all costs associated with their projects—from design through decommissioning—and will be competitively selected based on technological readiness, financial viability, site assessments, and detailed project planning. The program is not intended to demonstrate commercial deployment, but rather to support early research and testing efforts.

Initial applications are due by July 21, 2025, with rolling submissions to follow. An Industry Day event is scheduled for June 25, 2025, with both virtual and in-person participation options.

Watchdog groups have expressed concern that moving nuclear testing off national lab sites could reduce transparency and sidestep environmental scrutiny, especially as the industry pushes for rapid deployment amid evolving regulatory frameworks.

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