Greetings!

In this week’s article, we feature an article written by PGS President Ken Luongo that analyzes the progress of U.S. military microreactor projects and how they might lead a U.S. nuclear renaissance. We spotlight an article from the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace which assesses the prospects and implications of adopting nuclear fuel recycling. Finally, we highlight key nuclear technology, security, and geopolitical developments, reports, and analyses.

This issue of Nuclear News and Views was produced by PGS Program Director, Patrick Kendall, and our Della Ratta Energy and Global Security Fellows.

A longer version of this article was published by The Center for the National Interest, and it can be found here.

Artificial intelligence (AI) data centers, the anticipated driving force behind America’s spiking energy demand, seem to be faltering, and with that trend may plummet the hopes that a major expansion of commercial nuclear energy will power the future. But part of that market, the microreactor sector, could find an unlikely savior in the Department of Defense (DOD).

President Donald Trump’s May 2024 nuclear energy executive orders set a deadline of September 30, 2028, for the operation of a small domestic military reactor. According to the Army’s head of reactor projects, Jeff Waksman, that service has “set aside more than $2 billion over the next five years to develop and build first-of-a-kind reactors.” And its projects are designed to “help commercial vendors develop mass-producible, commercially ready reactors that can be sold on the open market.”

Project PELE: The Pentagon's Portable Nuclear Microreactor

Project Pele was the first DOD initiative. The goal of the program is to design, build, and demonstrate a prototype of a portable 1.5-megawatt electric (MWe) microreactor weighing less than 40 tons and utilizing tri-structural isotropic (TRISO) fuel for deployment at remote military installations. It must be designed to fit into shipping containers that can be carried on trucks and C-17 cargo planes.

BWXT won the contract for its high-temperature gas-cooled reactor and broke ground at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) in September 2024. The initial High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) fuel load arrived at INL in December 2025, and testing is scheduled to begin in 2027.

Janus Program: Microreactors for Army Bases

The Janus Program is the most recent military microreactor program, launched in May 2025. Its goal differs from Project PELE, as it aims to deploy commercially owned and operated microreactors with 1-20 MWe of power for use on domestic military installations. 

So far, a solicitation for advanced reactor technologies has been issued, but no vendors have been chosen. In November 2025, the Army identified nine sites for potential deployment: Fort Benning, Georgia; Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Fort Campbell, Kentucky; Fort Drum, New York; Fort Hood, Texas; Fort Wainwright, Arkansas; Holston Army Ammunition Plant, Tennessee; Joint-Base Lewis McChord, Washington; and Redstone Arsenal, Alabama.

The Army has stated that the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Reactor Pilot Program (RPP) “offers foundational support to the Army’s Janus Program.” The RPP is supporting 11 reactor designs, and several of these, Antares, Oklo, and Radiant, have been identified as potential military-use reactors. The Army’s Waksman has stated that the Janus Program is looking to pair “specific reactor designs to specific US Army installations,” indicating that more than one reactor design will be pursued.

Air Force Microreactor Pilot Program: Nuclear Energy for Air and Space Bases

The Air Force Microreactor Pilot Program has similarities to the Janus Project. It is designed to develop a commercial microreactor of up to 5 MWe power that can be licensed by the NRC and deliver electricity and thermal energy to an Air Force or Space Force installation.

It is being administered in partnership with the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Office of Energy, which is tasked with executing a 30-year power purchase agreement with a reactor vendor that will “construct, own, operate, maintain, and decommission” the reactor. The Air Force has chosen Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, as the initial location for the pilot project, with Joint Base San Antonio, Texas, as a potential additional location. Last June, the Air Force issued a Notice of Intent to Award (NOITA) the project contract to Oklo for its liquid-metal cooled fast reactor.

Advanced Nuclear Power for Military Installations

The Advanced Nuclear Power for Installations (ANPI) program was launched in 2024. Its goal is to deploy advanced nuclear power to DOD installations with a power range of 3-10 MWe. The goals of ANPI and the Microreactor Pilot Program are similar, but the approaches differ.

ANPI is using an Other Transactional Authority (OTA) approach, which allows it to work with multiple vendors across different phases of the project. ANPI has selected three installations as potential microreactor sites and in April Joint Base San Antonio was paired with Antares Nuclear’s R1 microreactor, Buckley Space Force Base with Radiant Industries Kaleidos reactor, and Malmstrom Air Force Base with Westinghouse’s eVinci microreactor. The power output for these reactors ranges from 1-5 Mwe.

Ken Luongo, President, Partnership for Global Security

Spotlight

The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace published an article analyzing the prospects and implications of adopting nuclear fuel recycling featuring the economic, profitability, environmental, security, and proliferation impacts. The article points out that while recycling spent nuclear fuel is currently rare on a global scale, there is renewed interest among many countries resulting from the global resurgence in nuclear energy. While the prospect of nuclear fuel recycling is enticing for many countries that are seeking to expand their nuclear power capacity, the analysis identifies a range of risks in this process, including environmental and nuclear safety and weapons proliferation concerns. The Carnegie analysis notes that nuclear fuel recycling can play a growing role in the global growth in nuclear energy, but that governments and industry will need to thoroughly consider the concerns associated with nuclear fuel recycling and develop the necessary arrangements to ensure that its adoption does not undermine the broader goals of nuclear energy expansion.

Patrick Kendall, Program Director, Partnership for Global Security

Issues of Special Interest

Global AI and Data Center Energy

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) announced that its preliminary environmental assessment review determined the restart of the Crane Nuclear Power Plant (formerly Three Mile Island Unit 1) would not have any significant environmental impacts. The Crane restart will provide 835 MW of power that can be used for data center energy. The issuance of the draft environmental assessment comes just two days after the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved Constellation’s waiver request to transfer capacity interconnection rights to the Crane facility, and that decision sets the facility up for a potentially expedited restart process. A final decision on the facility’s restart is expected in 2027.

Russia’s National Research Nuclear University MEPhI, the Bolshoy MEPhI consortium, and Rosatom are working on a project to develop ultra-small nuclear reactors to provide energy to Russian data processing centers. Bolshoy MEPhI president Valery Romanyuk stated on the sidelines of the 29th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, that the parties have a subprogram to create the project for these reactors. The reactor is conceptualized as a highly automated micro-small modular reactor engineered specifically for computing infrastructure.

The Impact of Russia's Invasion of Ukraine on International Nuclear Affairs

The IAEA is overseeing mine-clearing work around the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant to support a temporary ceasefire that will allow repairs to a critical power line that has been offline since March. The plant remains in a vulnerable position, relying on a single external power connection after experiencing multiple complete power losses in recent weeks that forced it to depend on emergency diesel generators. Recent military activity has also resulted in a drone strike that damaged part of the plant’s Unit 6 turbine hall. A separate strike caused structural damage at Chernobyl’s centralized spent fuel storage facility, although no increase in radiation levels was reported.

Recent military incidents near nuclear facilities have highlighted the importance of external power systems in maintaining nuclear safety, prompting renewed attention to how power lines and grid connections are designed and protected. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said there is no need for a major overhaul of nuclear safety standards, but recent events suggest that the resilience of off-site power supplies may require further evaluation. Particular concern has focused on the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, which has repeatedly lost external power and has had to rely on emergency diesel generators to maintain essential cooling and safety functions.

Russia

Russia is preparing to begin construction of the BN-1200 fast neutron reactor at the Beloyarsk Nuclear Power Plant in 2027, with major site-clearing work already underway. The sodium-cooled reactor is expected to become the world's largest fast-neutron reactor and is a key part of Rosatom’s strategy to develop a closed nuclear fuel cycle using recycled MOX fuel. Project officials aim to complete design approvals by the end of 2026, obtain a construction license in spring 2027, and pour first concrete before the end of that year.

Investment feasibility and site selection studies are taking place for a Russian reprocessing plant for used nuclear fuel that will have an initial capacity of 400 tons per year. Rosatom said the reprocessing and recycling of used nuclear fuel is a key part of Russian efforts to create a closed nuclear fuel cycle, and a decision on the reprocessing plant will be made by the end of the year. This plant is set to eventually become Russia’s largest spent nuclear fuel reprocessing facility and be capable of processing fuel from both thermal and fast reactors.

Bulgaria approved a new exemption from European Union sanctions to allow the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant to continue importing certain components and materials from Russian suppliers that are considered necessary for the safe operation of its two reactors. The decision was made because much of the plant’s equipment is of Russian origin, making some replacement parts difficult to source elsewhere. The exemption follows operational issues experienced at one of the reactors during the winter that were linked to difficulties obtaining parts from Russia.

Construction of Unit 7 at Russia’s Leningrad Nuclear Power Plant reached a major milestone with the installation of a 120-tonne core catcher, a passive safety system designed to contain molten reactor material in the highly unlikely event of a severe accident. The component was lowered into the reactor building and placed within the containment structure of the plant’s third VVER-1200 unit under the Leningrad II expansion project. Project officials said work on the reactor shaft and associated systems is progressing on schedule, with installation of additional equipment and preparation for reactor vessel assembly continuing over the next year.

China

The U.S. Energy Information Administration shared an analysis on China’s nuclear buildout that stated China’s nuclear generation capacity increased 76% (24 GW) from 2016 to 2024. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Power Reactor Information System, China is continuing to build out its nuclear generating capacity and has 36 reactors under construction, accounting for more than 49% of total world nuclear construction. As of May 2026, China had 60 operational reactors with 58.7 GW of total capacity installed at 18 different sites, concentrated in particular along its long coastline.

China National Nuclear Corporation announced that it had begun flushing at Changjiang unit 4, a key step before cold and hot testing. Flushing removes debris from inside pipelines, verifies flow capacity, checks leak tightness, and ensures that the reactor coolant system, residual heat removal system and the safety systems have been installed correctly. The Changjiang nuclear site is already home to two operating CNP-600 pressurized water reactors. Construction on Changjiang units 3 and 4, both Hualong-One PWRs, began in 2021.

China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN) lifted a 270-ton containment dome into place on Ningde unit 5, a Hualong-One reactor. The Ningde plant currently comprises four operating 1,018 MWe CPR-1000 reactors. Construction began on unit 5 in 2024. The unit is scheduled to enter operations in 2029. A sixth unit is also planned for the site.

Jiangnan Shipyard, a subsidiary of state-owned China State Shipbuilding Corporation, unveiled a blueprint for a “green marine transport hub" - a nuclear-powered floating island that would serve as a container transfer terminal and a charging station for vessels. The vessel would be powered by molten salt reactors and might also employ solar panels, a wind turbine, a hydrogen production and green-fuel synthesis module.

Europe

The United Kingdom has started its Generic Design Assessment (GDA) process for TerraPower’s Natrium sodium-cooled fast reactor, which will assess the safety, security, and environmental aspects of the advanced reactor technology. TerraPower submitted its GDA application in October of last year, making it the first regulatory filing for its Natrium technology in a market outside of the United States. TerraPower began non-nuclear construction in 2024 for its first Natrium plant in Wyoming, and it is expected to complete the project in 2030.

Holtec International and Électricité de France (EDF) have submitted a joint proposal to deploy up to four Holtec SMR-300 reactors at the Cottam power plant site in Nottinghamshire. The two companies have also signed Heads of Terms to establish a joint venture to advance the Cottam project. Holtec’s SMR-300 has already completed stage 2 of the United Kingdom’s Generic Design Assessment (GDA) process, confirming that no fundamental safety and safeguards flaws have been identified which would prevent its deployment in the United Kingdom.

Électricité de France (EDF) and Centrica are poised to agree on a draft deal with the British government on the extension of the Sizewell B nuclear power station by two decades. The companies are close to finalizing a head of terms agreement with the U.K. Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and will announce the deal in the next few weeks. The British government is seeking to extend operations of its aging nuclear energy fleet, with Sizewell B being the only EDF power station forecast to remain online after 2030.

Rolls-Royce has signed two trilateral memoranda of understanding with the United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory (UKNNL) and the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) to accelerate the introduction of advanced nuclear technologies in the United Kingdom. The three parties will cooperate to advance high-temperature gas-cooled modular reactor technology and coated particle fuel. The United Kingdom’s Independent Nuclear Regulatory Taskforce recently identified nuclear technology as being vital to the country’s economic growth and energy security.

The United Kingdom has agreed to provide guarantees for a $282 million loan for supplies of enriched uranium to Ukrainian nuclear agency Energoatom over the next two years. More than a third of the uranium content will originate from Urenco’s processing plant in Northwest England. The two sides have been working together since 2009, and this financing builds on a previous two-year deal for Urenco to supply nuclear fuel to Ukraine.

Britain’s maritime nuclear energy specialist, Core Power, launched a feasibility study into using BWX Technologies’ mPower small modular reactors (SMR) in floating nuclear power plants. The initial assessment is intended to inform future decisions on engineering scope, regulatory engagement, commercial structure, and next steps. The mPower SMR is BWXT’s integral pressurized light-water reactor design that can be deployed for floating power plants.

Polish deputy energy minister Wojciech Wrochna told reporters that Poland plans to select a partner for its second nuclear power plant in 2027 and confirm its location the following year. Poland has already started consultations to select a partner for the second power plant and has invited companies from the United States, France, Canada, and South Korea. Poland’s first nuclear power plant is being built in collaboration with Westinghouse Electric at the Lubiatowo-Kopalino site, and the government expects construction on the plant to begin in 2028.

Swedish small modular reactor (SMR) technology developer Blykalla has applied for government financing for its planned power plant in Norrsundet. Last month, the company applied to build the Norrsundet plant which will consist of six SEALER SMR reactors and could become operational in the first half of the 2030s. Blykalla’s application is the first to be submitted for advanced nuclear power under the new Swedish financing model that came into effect last year.

Sweden’s Videberg Kraft project has selected Rolls-Royce SMR to supply three small modular reactors for a new nuclear power station on the Värö Peninsula near Ringhals, following a multi-year evaluation process. The project is expected to become Sweden’s first new nuclear power plant in more than 40 years and would add about 1.5 GW of generating capacity to the national grid, with the first unit targeted for operation in the mid-2030s. The decision makes Sweden the third European country to choose Rolls-Royce SMR technology, following similar selections in the United Kingdom and the Czech Republic.

Studsvik has applied for Swedish state support to develop a small modular reactor project at its site in Nyköping, adding to the growing number of nuclear initiatives seeking backing under the country’s new financing framework. The company is exploring the deployment of advanced reactor technology to provide reliable low-carbon electricity while making use of Studsvik’s existing nuclear expertise and infrastructure. The proposal is part of Sweden’s broader effort to expand nuclear generation and meet rising future electricity demand.

Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) announced that the European Commission will not initiate an in-depth investigation regarding plans to build two Korean reactors at the Dukovany Nuclear Power Plant. The Czech government selected KHNP as its preferred bidder in 2024 with the engineering, procurement, and construction contract signed in 2025 and construction aiming to begin in 2029. Électricité de France (EDF) launched legal challenges against the contract decision, and the European Commission responded by launching a preliminary review of KHNP to examine matters related to the project.

Russian nuclear agency Rosatom has finished construction of the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant’s first unit, and cold-hot testing has begun which will be completed within a few weeks. A few weeks remain until the reactor’s start-up operations begin, an inspection will be conducted, and adjustments will be made for the final stage based on the results of this work. Rosatom is building four VVER-1200 reactors at the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant in Turkey, and the aim is for unit 1 to begin supplying power later this year.

Estonia’s parliament passed the Nuclear Energy and Safety Act which sets key steps required for the deployment of nuclear energy in the country, including rules for selecting the location of a nuclear power plant and for its construction, testing, and operation. The Act establishes a phased licensing system for the construction of a nuclear power plant and the creation of a nuclear regulatory body by 2027. Fermi Energia expects to submit a construction application for the proposed plant in 2029, with construction targeted to begin in 2031.

An initial siting study commissioned by the Dutch province of Overijssel and carried out by Tractebel has identified potential locations for small modular reactors (SMR). The study concluded that there are potentially suitable locations for small SMRs in many parts of the province but only a few possible locations for larger SMRs. Tractebel said its team used a comprehensive evaluation framework based on the IAEA’s siting criteria for the SMR spatial study, and the province is planning follow-up steps including research into public acceptance and how SMRs might fit into the power grid.

Emirati multinational logistics company DP World launched a feasibility study into how small modular reactor (SMR) technology could help meet the long-term energy needs and growth of the Port of Constanta in Romania. DP World also signed an agreement with French research organization CEA and TerraWater Institute for the study. The study will model energy demand at the port from 2030 to 2050, evaluate integrated low-carbon energy systems, and assess the feasibility of nuclear-based solutions.

Asia & The Pacific

Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry has presented a draft target of replacing up to five of the country’s nuclear power reactors that are due to be decommissioned by the 2040s and 11 to 14 reactors by the 2050s. In 2023, Japan’s Cabinet approved a policy to allow new power reactors to be built and the operation of existing reactors to be extended from 40 to 60 years. The current government is seeking to expand nuclear power’s share of electricity generation from 8.5% to about 20% in 2040.

The Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) and Kazakhstan’s National Nuclear Centre (NNC RK) agreed to a new phase of their joint core safety experiments of fast reactors that will focus on severe accident mitigation measures for demonstration reactors. The two agencies have been advancing the phased EAGLE Projects on core safety experiments of fast reactors and implemented three phases with the aim of advancing the safety of sodium-cooled fast reactors. NNC RK added it is in discussions with the JAEA to continue the project through to 2031.

Japan has decided to invest more than $65 billion into U.S. small modular reactor (SMR) projects after tariff negotiations with the Trump administration. The United States is seeking to attract Japanese capital to expand its large-scale nuclear power plants, as well as engaging in building the SMR supply chain and next-generation nuclear projects. The Japanese government is also in final negotiations to invest up to $40 billion in SMRs jointly promoted by GE Vernova and Hitachi.

South Korea has selected Yeongdeok County and Gijang County as candidate sites for new nuclear power plant construction, the first time a new nuclear site has been finalized in South Korea since 2011. Two large-scale reactors are planned in Yeongdeok County and are planned for commercial operation by 2038, and Gijang County will host the nation’s first small modular reactor that will begin operation in 2035. The selection is the first step in South Korea’s new nuclear construction plan outlined in the 11th Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand.

Rosatom’s TVEL division has manufactured the nuclear fuel for initial loading of India’s Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant unit 4. Under the contract agreed upon in 2024, TVEL will supply fuel for the lifetime of Kudankulam units 3 and 4, which are both Russian-designed VVER-1000 units. There are four VVER-1000 reactors operating at the Kudankulam Power Plant and four more are currently under construction, with the first fuel for unit 3 delivered in December of last year.

U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright approved American civil nuclear exports to Thailand under Part 810, allowing U.S. companies to participate in the new market and accelerate cooperation with Thailand in nuclear power. This adds Thailand to the list of destinations that U.S. companies are authorized to export certain controlled nuclear technology and assistance without advanced approval from the Department of Energy. Thailand does not currently have any nuclear power plants but is now considering deploying nuclear power in the future.

Russia and Uzbekistan began construction of Uzbekistan’s first nuclear power plant. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced the development on the sidelines of Putin’s annual economic forum. The inaugural power plant will be located in Uzbekistan’s Jizzakh region and will utilize Russian reactor technology.

Orano began the construction phase for implementing the Zuuvch Ovoo uranium project in Mongolia. The project will use in-situ leach (ISL) methods, with development planned to take 4 years and a nominal production capacity of 2,500 tons of uranium per year for a 30-year lifespan. Mongolia has substantial uranium resources with 144,600 tU, giving it the tenth largest uranium reserves in the world. However, no uranium has been mined in the country since the closure of the Dornod mine in the mid-1990s.

Africa

The South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa) and Siemens Energy signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening collaboration in energy generation, advanced manufacturing, skills development, and emerging technologies. The two organizations will explore opportunities to work together on power generation projects, the development of skills to support the energy sectors, and advanced manufacturing for nuclear and industrial sectors. South Africa operates the Koeberg nuclear power station and has plans to expand its nuclear sector.

IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi stated that Ghana is making progress towards introducing nuclear power into its electricity mix with support from the IAEA on strengthening the country’s readiness, technical capacity, and regulatory systems. Grossi added that Ghana is among several African nations that have maintained sustained engagement with the IAEA. Ghana plans to build a 1,000-megawatt nuclear power plant and is targeting the completion of phase two of the implementation program under the IAEA’s Milestones Approach.

The Middle East

IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi announced that Iran’s nuclear enrichment sites would be visited by inspectors as part of the interim U.S.-Iran deal to end the ongoing war. Grossi’s comments came after contradictory remarks about inspections from the United States and Iran, including Iranian deputy foreign minister Kazem Gharibadadi stating that any such visit would only come after a final deal with the United States.

South & Central America

Argentina's National Atomic Energy Commission (CNEA) and the Chilean Nuclear Energy Commission (CCHEN) signed a nuclear cooperation agreement. The agreement covers research reactors and their applications; applications of nuclear technology in health, agriculture, industry and mining; nuclear and radiological safety; used fuel management; and scientific and technical assistance in nuclear power. Argentina is home to 3 commercial reactors while Chile operates a research reactor which produces radioisotopes, mainly for medical purposes.

North America Nuclear Collaborations and Policy

United States

The Department of Energy is providing $17.5 billion in loans to speed the development of 10 new large nuclear reactors to meet the rising power demand from U.S. data centers. The ten new reactors will use the Westinghouse AP1000 design. Energy Secretary Chris Wright cited substantial interest among data center developers in nuclear power. He added that the reactors could begin construction by 2030. Only two nuclear reactors at the Vogtle power plant in Georgia have been built in the United States in recent decades.

Antares Nuclear’s Mark-0 reactor has completed a zero-power fueled criticality demonstration, thus becoming the first U.S. reactor to go critical by the July 4 deadline set by the Trump administration. The demonstration took place at the Idaho National Laboratory under the Department of Energy’s Reactor Pilot Program (RPP). The Mark-0 is a demonstration reactor that seeks to validate key reactor physics parameters for Antares’ sodium heat-pipe cooled microreactor technology.

Valar Atomics’ advanced reactor design, the Ward 250, successfully completed a zero-power fueled criticality demonstration at the Utah San Rafael Energy Lab. The Ward 250 is the second of several advanced reactors that are anticipated to achieve criticality under the Reactor Pilot Program (RPP) by the July 4 deadline set by President Donald Trump in his executive order last year.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright signed the approval to turn on the Aalo-X Critical Test Reactor at the Aalo-X campus in Idaho. This authorizes Aalo to handle and use nuclear material having assured adequate protection of workers, the public, and the environment. This is the final regulatory step to enable the reactor’s start-up, which is being supported by the Department of Energy's Reactor Pilot Program (RPP).

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) proposed sweeping changes to fuel-cycle and materials licensing regulations, including a streamlined licensing pathway for reprocessing facilities. The proposed rule is intended to reduce regulatory barriers and accelerate development of the fuel infrastructure needed to support next-generation energy technologies. The NRC also updated requirements for advanced reactor fuels aimed at accelerating deployment of next-generation reactors.

The Department of Energy approved the Preliminary Document Safety Analysis (PDSA) for Oklo’s Aurora powerhouse reactor at the Idaho National Laboratory, a major step in the authorization pathway. Oklo asked the DoE to commence the review of its PDSA after receiving its approval for the Nuclear Safety Design Agreement in March of this year. The Aurora-INL will be the first of Oklo’s planned fast fission power plants, and Oklo held the ground-breaking ceremony for this facility in September of last year.


U.S. enrichment company Centrus has signed an agreement with Oklo to supply high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) for up to five Aurora powerhouse reactors for multiple years, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2029. Centrus is set to supply HALEU from its American Centrifuge Plant in Piketon, Ohio, which will support Oklo’s planned 1.2-gigawatt power campus in the region. Oklo’s Aurora powerhouse is a fast neutron reactor.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is expediting the nuclear reactor licensing process by advancing the timeline for the mandatory hearings that are part of the review process. The changes would have hearings be held about 30 days after an application has been docketed while the previous timeline had the NRC conducting these hearings toward the end of its application review process. NRC officials believe that holding these hearings at the beginning of the licensing process will refocus them on public engagement and the exchange of information.

The Department of Energy has formally approved Xcimer Energy’s preconceptual design and technology development roadmap milestone for the company’s Athena fusion power plant architecture. DoE’s acceptance of the Athena design follows Xcimer’s completion of earlier milestones during the first 18-month budget period in the milestone program. Xcimer was one of eight companies selected by the DoE in 2023 to share $46 million in funding from the Fusion Development Program.

Nuclear power plant developer Elementl Power has signed an Early Works Agreement with GE Vernova Hitachi to use its BWRX-300 small modular reactors (SMR) for a proposed project in Meigs County, Ohio. The company says it plans for the proposed plant to have the equivalent of five BWRX-300 SMRs, aiming for construction to begin in 2030 and completion of the first unit in 2034. Elemental has already agreed to purchase the 700-acre site in Ohio and has filed a request with PJM Interconnection to connect the site into the regional transmission system.

The Department of Energy released the finalized Fusion Science and Technology Roadmap, with more than 800 experts from industry and academia contributing to the plan. The roadmap is aimed at accelerating fusion energy development and commercialization with a strategy built around three drivers: building infrastructure to close materials and technology gaps, innovating through advanced research and computing, and growing the fusion ecosystem through partnerships, supply chain development, and workforce expansion. The roadmap will be carried out by the DoE’s Office of Fusion.

Washington-based Helion announced it will be the first company in the world to have the regulatory approvals needed to build and operate a fusion power plant. The Radioactive Materials license and Radioactive Air Emissions license confirm that Helion has the facilities, trained personnel, and safety programs in place at the Orion facility to meet the safety standards required for fusion operations. Helion began construction of buildings to support the Orion plant last July.

Canada

Canada officially launched its Nuclear Energy Strategy which aims to build up to 10 new nuclear reactors over the next 15 years, including two new large reactors by 2035 and five more by 2040. To enable these targets, the government is directed to develop financing policy and streamline its regulatory process with the target to complete reviews within two years. The Strategy also emphasizes boosting exports of Canadian-made reactors to more countries and doubling uranium exports over the 10 years.

AtkinsRéalis submitted a Notice of Intent to the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission, initiating pre-application activities in preparation for a license application to deploy its CANDU reactor technology. CANDU reactors are 700-megawatt pressurized heavy water reactors that use heavy water as both a moderator and coolant and utilize unenriched uranium fuel. To date, 34 CANDU units have been built around the world, including all 17 of the reactors currently operating in Canada.

Denison Mines initiated site preparation and early works construction at the Phoenix in-situ recovery (ISR) uranium mine in Saskatchewan. Denison expects to begin full-scale construction by mid-2026, in line with its target to achieve first uranium production in mid-2028. Phoenix is the first uranium mine in Canada to use the in-situ recovery (ISR) mining method, and the first large-scale Canadian uranium mining project to be approved for construction in more than 20 years.

Saskatchewan and the Czech Republic have signed a memorandum of understanding to cooperate, largely through knowledge sharing, on small modular reactors (SMR) and micro-modular reactors. The MoU will take the form of knowledge sharing, promote joint projects, and develop nuclear energy professionals. Saskatchewan is home to numerous high-grade uranium mines but does not currently have any nuclear power reactors. Recently, the province has conducted planning to deploy an SMR and is now also considering a large reactor build.

Mexico

There are no new updates for this region.

New Research

The Fusion Industry Supply Chain 2026

Fusion Industry Association, June 23

Op-Eds & Articles

How Trump’s Nuclear Loans Could Move the Needle

Axios, June 24

How Surging Energy Demands Revived New York’s Nuclear Reactor Fleet

The Journal News, June 24

Everything Is Coming Up Nuclear for South Africa

Zawya, June 19

Europe Has Entered the Nuclear Golden Age Amid AI Boom

Oil Price, June 18

What Changes Are Needed to Help Rollout of Advanced Nuclear Technologies?

World Nuclear News, June 18

Rolls-Royce SMR Sweden Win Shows Europe’s Nuclear Revival Becoming an Industrial Race

EU Today, June 16

Three Reasons Why DoE’s Plutonium Plan Has Deal Breakers

Neutron Bytes, June 16

America’s Military Readiness Depends on Deployable Nuclear Power

Real Clear Defense, June 16

Can America Build Nuclear Again?

American Enterprise Institute, June 15

Fueling the Coming Nuclear Renaissance

Real Clear Energy, June 15

Nuclear Won’t Save the AI Buildout

The Capitol Forum, June 13

Inside the Race – And Uranium Gap – to Rebuild America’s Fuel Supply Chain for a ‘Second Nuclear Age’

Fortune, June 13

Breaking Ground on a New Approach to Construction

American Nuclear Society, June 12

Takeaways from Chris Wright’s Fiery Hill Appearance

E&E News, June 11

Why China Is Betting on Big Nuclear Reactors

MIT Technology Review, June 11

The Man Leading Trump’s Nuclear Renaissance

The Washington Examiner, June 10

California Is Rethinking Nuclear – Environmental Groups Should, Too

The Hill, June 9

Red Herrings and Real Progress: Here’s How to Judge the Nuclear Revival

The National Interest, June 9

Bushehr, Barakah, and the Future of Nuclear Security in the Persian Gulf

The Stimson Center, June 9

Africa’s Nuclear Future Is Small (Modular Reactors)

Real Clear Energy, June 8

AI’s Energy Boom Needs Safer Nuclear Power

Real Clear Energy, June 4

News items and summaries compiled by:

Patrick Kendall, Program Director, Partnership for Global Security

Gabriela Zanko, Della Ratta Fellow, Partnership for Global Security

Cate Donovan, Della Ratta Fellow, Partnership for Global Security