Reforming Nuclear Reactor Testing at the Department of Energy
This Executive Order directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to greatly speed up the testing, review, and short-term deployment of “advanced reactors” — new nuclear reactor designs such as microreactors, small modular reactors, and Generation IV concepts — under DOE control for research purposes (not for commercial electricity sales). It requires DOE to define “qualified test reactors,” expedite internal review and approval processes so a qualified test reactor can be operational within two years of a substantially complete application, and to run a pilot program that approves at least three non‑National‑Laboratory reactors aiming for criticality by July 4, 2026. The order also directs DOE to reform how it complies with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to eliminate or speed environmental reviews where legally permitted. If implemented, the order could accelerate U.S. development and demonstration of advanced nuclear technologies, shift some testing outside national labs, reduce regulatory delays inside DOE, and produce near‑term demonstration projects that support industries (e.g., manufacturing, desalination, hydrogen). It may also raise legal, environmental, and community concerns because it calls for streamlined environmental reviews and tight timelines and is subject to applicable law and funding availability.
Key Points
- 1Definition and deadlines: DOE must publish guidance within 60 days defining what counts as a “qualified test reactor” (a reactor that DOE determines could feasibly be operational within 2 years of a substantially complete application).
- 2Expedited internal process: Within 90 days DOE must revise its regulations, guidance, procedures, and National Laboratory practices to significantly speed review, approval, and deployment so qualified reactors can be safely operational within 2 years of a substantially complete application.
- 3Dedicated assistance teams: When DOE finds an application substantially complete, the Secretary must form a cross‑office team (Secretary’s office, relevant national labs, DOE Office of General Counsel, and other relevant offices) to assist and directly report to the Secretary to deconflict and expedite processing.
- 4Pilot program outside national labs: DOE must create a pilot allowing reactor construction/operation outside national labs under DOE “sufficient control” authority and approve at least three reactors, targeting each to reach criticality (self‑sustaining chain reaction) by July 4, 2026.
- 5NEPA and environmental review reform: By June 30, 2025, DOE — working with the Council on Environmental Quality — must reform NEPA compliance rules where lawful, using tools such as categorical exclusions, supplemental analyses, alternative NEPA procedures, or identifying DOE functions not subject to NEPA to eliminate or speed environmental reviews.