How The Trump Administration Is Fast-Tracking Nuclear Microreactors

InnovationSustainabilityHow The Trump Administration Is Fast-Tracking Nuclear MicroreactorsByNoël Fletcher,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Noel Fletcher is a reporter covering renewable energy and wildlifeFollow AuthorApr 26, 2026, 03:04pm EDTApr 26, 2026, 03:12pm EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.Unfinished nuclear reactor core in a modern nuclear power plant under construction.gettyThe Trump administration has taken another step to convince businesses to invest in nuclear power by starting a rulemaking process to fast-track approving new microreactors. The U.S. Department of Energy and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission are both taking significant steps to promote the development of microreactors. These nuclear power generators are compact nuclear reactors designed to produce 20 megawatts of thermal energy.The DOE launched the “first-of-its-kind” test bed facility for private investors to rapidly develop, test and pilot microreactors. The test bed at Idaho National Laboratory is called Demonstration of Microreactor Experiments (DOME).This April 8 notice that DOME is open for business was followed up by another key government action to attract private industry.Ho K. Nieh, NRC chairman, announced April 24 that next month a Federal Register notice will contain a “groundbreaking” proposed regulatory framework to cut red tape and prove flexible, risk-informed licensing options for new microreactors. The new rule—called “Licensing Requirements for Microreactors and Other Reactors with Comparable Risk Profile”—is also described as retaining public health and security safeguards.“This regulatory framework for microreactors marks a major step toward modernizing the licensing process for advanced nuclear reactors,” Nieh said, adding that proposed changes will be “designed to deploy microreactors with safety, scale, and speed.”The forthcomi...