Idaho National Laboratory

Five states (Tennessee, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Utah, and Idaho) have agreed to accept nuclear waste in exchange for federal support to develop nuclear energy, aiming to create jobs and boost economies. The plan involves establishing Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campuses with potential investments of up to $50 billion and significant tax revenues.

Five states—Tennessee, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Utah, and Idaho—have agreed to accept nuclear waste in exchange for federal support to develop nuclear energy, aiming to create jobs and boost economic growth. The plan involves establishing Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campuses with waste storage, uranium enrichment, and advanced reactor projects, potentially attracting $50 billion in private investment. The initiative aligns with efforts to expand nuclear energy production amid rising electricity demand.

INSWAREB proposes a partnership with U.S. universities to research irradiated construction materials. The institute seeks access to Idaho National Laboratory’s test reactor to validate concrete made from fly ash and rice husk ash.

Antares Nuclear's Mark-0 microreactor achieved criticality at Idaho National Laboratory under the U.S. Department of Energy's Reactor Pilot Program, established via President Trump's 2025 executive order. This marks the first advanced reactor to reach criticality under the program and the first privately developed non-light-water reactor in the U.S. in over four decades.

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.