By July 4, 2026 (or sooner), a next-generation small modular nuclear reactor will reach criticality at Idaho National Laboratory and demonstrate the ability to sell electricity into the grid.
“We will have new next generation small modular reactors critical next year. Our goal is by July 4th and I think we will beat that... it will be running on federal land... at the Idaho National Laboratory. It'll be demonstrating it can sell electricity.” View on YouTube
Under DOE's Reactor Pilot Program (established via Trump's May 2025 executive order), the goal was to get advanced reactors to criticality by July 4, 2026. Antares Nuclear's microreactor achieved criticality at Idaho National Laboratory's Materials and Fuels Complex on June 4, 2026, beating the deadline as Wright predicted, with two more reactors (Valar Atomics, Aalo Atomics) following.