# Next-generation nuclear reactors

Type: Technology

Source: Climate Intelligence Brief — https://getclimatebrief.com/entity/next-generation-nuclear-reactors
Canonical HTML page: https://getclimatebrief.com/entity/next-generation-nuclear-reactors

## Timeline

- **2026-08**: Deployable Energy Reactor Goes Critical — Startup Deployable Energy achieves a sustained nuclear chain reaction with its test reactor at INL, proving the design concept.
- **2026-07**: Multiple Reactor Startups — Three companies at INL and one in central Utah switch on new small reactor designs for the first time.
- **2025**: Fast-Track Policy — President Trump eases regulatory barriers for advanced nuclear reactor projects, accelerating deployment timelines.
- **1949**: INL Established — Idaho National Laboratory begins operations as America's primary nuclear energy testing ground.

## Recent coverage (1 stories)

### 4 Test Reactors Fire Up in Idaho, Boosting Nuclear's $0 Carbon Promise
2026-08-10 07:25:45 · Sentiment: Neutral · Impact: 6/10 · Sources: 2

Deployable Energy's test reactor achieved criticality at Idaho National Laboratory this summer, joining three other startups in switching on new small nuclear designs. The milestone advances a new generation of reactors that could deliver carbon-free baseload power, crucial for meeting global climate goals.
Full story: https://getclimatebrief.com/story/nuclear-test-critical-climate-milestone

---
This page is a machine-readable summary. Sentiment measures the directional read of each development for this entity, not the tone of the reporting; impact weights consequence, not syndication reach. See https://getclimatebrief.com/guides/methodology for the full editorial methodology.