Red, white and glowing blue: Trump's push for new reactors reaches the finish line
Valar Atomics was one of the first companies to bring its new nuclear reactor online. It built its experimental design in a tentlike structure in the Utah desert, and on June 18 it went critical (nucl
Valar Atomics was one of the first companies to bring its new nuclear reactor online. It built its experimental design in a tentlike structure in the
Read Full Story at NPR News →Why This Matters
The breakthrough at Valar Atomics signals a potential inflection point in America’s stalled nuclear ambitions, reviving a technology once sidelined by cost and regulatory hurdles. As the first of its kind to achieve criticality in decades, its success could redefine energy security and geopolitical leverage for nations betting on next-generation reactors.
Background Context
The last U.S. nuclear reactor construction permit was issued in 2016, and federal funding for advanced reactors has historically been fragmented. Trump’s push—part of a broader deregulatory agenda—mirrors Cold War-era efforts to fast-track innovation but arrives amid a global race where China and Russia already lead in deployment.
What Happens Next
Valar’s milestone could unlock billions in private and federal investment, but scaling remains the biggest obstacle. Watch for licensing battles at the NRC and whether Congress passes long-delayed legislation to streamline approvals—or if partisan divides derail momentum before pilot plants break ground.
Bigger Picture
This reflects a broader pivot toward "nuclear nationalism," where energy independence trumps climate concerns in policy circles. Yet without breakthroughs in waste management and public acceptance, the sector risks repeating the boom-and-bust cycles that have stymied progress for generations.
