Department of Energy

The Trump Administration's actions, including a June 12, 2026, Commerce Department directive requiring licenses for Anthropic's AI models, created uncertainty about foreign-person employees' access to frontier AI development. After Anthropic suspended model access globally, including for its own foreign employees, the controls were later lifted but remain a potential threat to future models. National Security Presidential Memorandum 11 encouraged AI companies to assist with vetting foreign talent to balance security and innovation.

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) criticized the Department of Energy (DOE) for prematurely excluding less expensive options in nuclear cleanup efforts. The report highlights concerns about the DOE's approach to cost-effective solutions for nuclear waste management.

Thirteen Democrat-led states, including California, Colorado, and Washington, are allowed to continue their lawsuit against the Trump administration for terminating clean energy programs without congressional approval. A federal judge denied the administration's motion to dismiss, ruling the states have a right to seek relief and that the case should remain in federal court.

Before air conditioning became common in mid-20th century US homes, people used ice blocks, fans, and cold drinks to stay cool. Historical records show iceboxes, mechanical cooling techniques, and frozen treats like ice cream were key methods. Recent heat waves highlight the growing necessity of air conditioning as temperatures set new records.

The Department of Energy has ordered certain generating units to remain operational during tight grid conditions, incurring approximately $550 million in annual costs, according to the Sierra Club. The emergency orders aim to maintain grid stability but raise questions about their benefits.

The White House released executive orders on quantum computing emphasizing coordination over major investments or policy changes. President Donald Trump highlighted goals like strengthening the domestic supply chain and delivering a quantum computer to the Department of Energy by 2028, but quantum companies and researchers note the orders lack substantial new funding or operational shifts. The orders are seen as adding credibility to quantum technology, though it remains unproven at scale.

The Department of Energy ordered six power plants to delay their retirements last year. Two of these plants produced zero electricity in the first quarter of 2026, and another is currently offline for repairs.

The Trump administration plans to issue executive orders to accelerate the federal government's transition to post-quantum encryption and increase funding for the domestic quantum computing industry. The orders include a new deadline for adopting quantum-resistant encryption by 2029 or 2030 and exclude military networks. The administration also announced over $2 billion in incentives for nine quantum companies under the CHIPS and Science Act.

Congress approved a $1 billion Energy Resilience Fund for Puerto Rico in 2022 to support solar and battery systems for low-income residents. The Trump administration redirected most funds to Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA), a bankrupt utility, to upgrade fossil fuel power plants and build a natural gas pipeline, bypassing competitive bidding and waiving standard cost-sharing requirements. Critics argue this shift undermines the original intent to provide resilient backup power for medically vulnerable communities.

Trump’s Genesis Mission is using AI to work on nuclear weapons, according to the article. The Department of Energy describes Genesis as an AI initiative for scientific discovery, but its first public challenges suggest a different focus.

Darío Gil, a Department of Energy official, discusses the factors that will drive future innovation. The article highlights his insights on emerging technologies and energy advancements shaping tomorrow's innovations.

A new $300 million data center is being constructed in Newport News for the Department of Energy (DOE). The Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (Jefferson Lab) will support the DOE's national computing efforts.

Jefferson Lab is constructing a new computing center that utilizes AI to analyze data from Department of Energy research centers, aiming to accelerate scientific discoveries.

China is rapidly expanding its nuclear power capacity with large gigawatt-scale pressurized-water reactors, nearly doubling its fleet since 2016. The U.S. and France, traditional nuclear leaders, have struggled to add new reactors, with the U.S. only completing two units at Plant Vogtle. Smaller reactors, including microreactors like Antares' sodium-cooled Mark-0, are gaining attention in the U.S. as potential solutions for faster deployment and lower costs.

A small modular nuclear reactor developed by startup Antares reached criticality at the Idaho National Laboratory, marking the first new reactor design to achieve this milestone. The Trump Administration's executive order aimed to have three reactor designs reach criticality within a year, and Antares' design uses a TRISO fuel system with advanced safety features.

The Trump Administration is using the Defense Production Act to allocate up to $500 million for 13 coal plants and a coal export terminal in California, citing energy security. The Department of Energy also announced an advanced nuclear reactor achieving criticality. The coal industry has declined due to competition from natural gas and renewables, though recent electricity demand increases have slowed retirements.

Alex Fitzsimmons from the Department of Energy discussed energy markets, AI, and renewables at the Edison Electric Institute conference in Las Vegas. The conference focused on balancing demand growth with affordability in the energy sector.

President Donald Trump announced a $700 million investment in coal power infrastructure, using the Defense Production Act to save 13 coal plants and build two new ones, claiming it will save 14,000 jobs. He criticized renewable energy subsidies and highlighted coal as a critical energy source.

President Donald Trump announced a $700 million investment in coal power infrastructure across multiple states, including Pennsylvania, using the Defense Production Act to save 13 coal plants and create two new ones. The initiative aims to preserve 14,000 coal jobs and prioritize coal over renewable energy, with projects in Alaska, West Virginia, and other states.

President Donald Trump announced a $700 million investment in coal power infrastructure across the U.S. using the Defense Production Act to save 13 coal plants, build two new ones, and create 14,000 jobs. He criticized renewable energy subsidies and highlighted coal as a critical energy source, with projects in states like Alaska, West Virginia, and Maryland.

CISA, the FBI, the NSA, the Department of Energy, and other US government partners are warning that hackers are targeting internet-exposed automatic tank gauge (ATG) systems used to monitor fuel and liquid storage tanks across various critical infrastructure sectors.

Federal energy efficiency rebate programs will no longer cover switching from fossil-fueled heating to electricity. The policy change, announced by the Department of Energy, restricts rebates for this transition, impacting efforts to promote cleaner energy adoption.

The Department of Energy under Trump has restarted an energy rebate program but removed rebates for switching from fossil fuels to electricity and eliminated diversity, equity, and inclusion considerations. This follows legal challenges after Trump’s executive order halted funding from Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, which a coalition of states successfully contested, leading to a March 2025 injunction to restore funds.

Argonne National Laboratory has launched a private AI inference service using spare supercomputing capacity, including systems like Sophia and Metis, to support researchers in advancing scientific discovery. The service offers access to various large language models and secure analysis tools, enabling real-time data processing in fields like fusion energy and particle physics.

The U.S. Department of Energy is considering allowing up to five companies to use surplus plutonium, previously used in nuclear warheads, as fuel for nuclear power. The department has selected these firms for 'advanced' applications.

Democrats outnumber Republicans 6-to-1 among commencement speakers at top U.S. colleges, with 86% of partisan speakers being Democratic or Democratic-leaning. The College Fix analyzed graduation ceremonies at elite universities across the country. Notable Republican speakers included Arthur Brooks and Dario Gil.

The US National Labs are exploring new chip architectures, including NextSilicon's Maverick-2 dataflow processor, to power their supercomputers. The Department of Energy operates some of the largest supercomputers in the world, responsible for simulations and research. NextSilicon's chips have met system acceptance requirements, paving the way for deployment in larger systems.

Katie Porter accused Tom Steyer of leaking a damaging video, but CNN fact-checked her claim and found no evidence to support it. Porter also attacked Xavier Becerra over an unresolved corruption probe. The accusations and denials are part of California's gubernatorial race.

Rivian is working on more R2 variants of its electric SUV, with launch models competitively priced and a $45,000 version planned for next year. The company is also considering making its own lidar sensors in collaboration with a Chinese company. Rivian's new factory in Georgia will begin production in 2028.

Rivian has reduced its Department of Energy loan to $4.5 billion for its Georgia factory, down from $6.6 billion, while increasing the factory's production capacity.

A 2022 accidental death of Army biochemist Jude Height, involving a vehicle incident in Pennsylvania, is under renewed scrutiny as part of a federal investigation into 10-11 missing or deceased scientists linked to sensitive government research, including nuclear and chemical weapon studies. Authorities are examining potential national security risks tied to these cases.

A Defense Department scientist's 2022 accidental death is under renewed scrutiny as part of a federal investigation into 10-11 missing or deceased scientists linked to sensitive government research. The probe involves the FBI, Department of Energy, and Army officials, with focus on national security risks and cases spanning disappearances, homicides, and unexplained deaths.

The US is investigating a possible conspiracy after at least 10 scientists linked to nuclear secrets and rocket technology went missing or died under suspicious circumstances. Republican House members James Comer and Eric Burlison demanded investigations from federal agencies, citing tabloid reports that suggest a 'grave threat to national security.'

The U.S.-Iran war is causing price increases beyond gasoline, as petrochemicals from oil and natural gas are used in over 6,000 consumer products, according to the Department of Energy.

House Republicans are demanding answers from federal agencies about the deaths or disappearances of at least 10 individuals linked to U.S. nuclear and aerospace programs. Lawmakers suspect a potential national security threat, citing reports of mysterious incidents involving scientists and officials, though authorities have not confirmed any connections between the cases.

House Republicans are demanding investigations into the deaths or disappearances of at least 10 individuals linked to U.S. nuclear and aerospace programs, citing possible national security risks. Lawmakers have requested briefings from federal agencies, highlighting cases like retired Air Force General William McCasland and NASA scientist Monica Reza, though authorities deny active investigations.

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer raised alarms over the deaths and disappearances of 11 U.S. nuclear and space scientists under mysterious circumstances, citing national security risks. He alerted agencies like the FBI, NASA, and Department of Energy, while President Trump and the National Nuclear Security Administration pledged investigations.

The Texas Petawatt (TPW), one of the most powerful lasers in the U.S., was operated at the University of Texas at Austin but is now closed due to funding cuts. It was part of LaserNetUS, a Department of Energy network of high-power laser labs, where scientists conducted experiments by amplifying laser pulses to create brief, high-energy discharges.

The White House is reviewing 11 cases of missing or deceased U.S. scientists with ties to sensitive research, including nuclear and aerospace fields. Federal agencies and the FBI are investigating potential connections, with President Trump vowing answers within days. The National Nuclear Security Administration is also examining the matter.

The White House and Anthropic are negotiating access to the AI model Mythos for federal government use despite the Pentagon's efforts to blacklist the company as a supply chain risk. Civilian agencies like the Departments of Energy and Treasury seek Mythos' capabilities for national security, while the Pentagon bars Anthropic from military contracts due to litigation. The Office of Management and Budget is evaluating agency access to Mythos.