President Donald Trump said Friday from the White House that three advanced nuclear reactors have reached criticality [1].
This development marks a significant step toward the administration's goal of quadrupling domestic nuclear power capacity to ensure energy independence and stability. The move reflects a shift toward next-generation reactor technology to modernize the national grid.
Trump was joined by Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, along with several nuclear energy executives, to detail the progress. The announcement follows the implementation of four executive orders [2] signed just over a year ago [3] designed to streamline the deployment of nuclear energy.
Officials said the achievement of criticality in these three reactors [1] serves as a proof of concept for the administration's broader energy strategy. The push for expanded production aims to reduce reliance on foreign energy sources and lower long-term costs for consumers.
While the White House highlighted the success of the domestic reactors, federal officials are also exploring the potential for offshore reactors to further expand the nation's energy portfolio. The administration said the current milestone validates the regulatory and financial framework established by the previous executive actions.
Energy Secretary Wright said the progress demonstrates a commitment to accelerating the timeline for nuclear deployment. The administration intends to use these results to encourage further private sector investment in advanced nuclear technology.
“Three advanced reactors have reached criticality”
The achievement of criticality in three advanced reactors suggests a transition from theoretical planning to operational reality for the administration's nuclear goals. By leveraging a series of executive orders to bypass traditional bureaucratic delays, the U.S. is attempting to rapidly scale its carbon-free baseload power, which could fundamentally alter the domestic energy mix and reduce the volatility of the electrical grid.
