WASHINGTON—The rebirth of America’s nuclear industry has officially arrived. Today, as part of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Reactor Pilot Program, Antares Nuclear’s advanced reactor design, the Mark-0, successfully completed a zero-power fueled criticality demonstration at DOE’s Idaho National Laboratory. This test confirms that the reactor can operate safely and establishes a basis that would allow subsequent reactors to produce electricity in 2027 and beyond. The Mark-0 is the first of multiple advanced reactors anticipated to go critical by the July 4th deadline set by President Trump in his May 2025 executive order. “It is fitting that on the eve of our nation’s 250th anniversary, we are witnessing a historic moment for American energy,” U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said. “For the first time in more than four decades, a new privately developed non-light-water reactor has reached criticality in the United States. Thank you to President Trump for his bold leadership and thank you to the bold scientists and entrepreneurs at Antares and Idaho National Laboratory who helped make this moment possible. I look forward to seeing continued progress in the American nuclear renaissance.” Criticality is the culmination of carefully planned and executed steps that result in a reactor going operational. The Mark-0 criticality test is a tremendous accomplishment that validates the safety and operational performance of Antares Nuclear’s fission reactor. One of the most significant technological achievements in nuclear energy in over 40 years, this test will go on to inform the design and licensing of future commercial reactor deployments. When commercialized after further tests and licensure by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, microreactors like those that Antares makes are anticipated to be used in a variety of terrestrial and space applications and to ensure readiness at military installations requiring reliable energy. As the 53rd reactor to be built

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced it will support 13 American coal-fired power plants and new coal export infrastructure by providing up to $500 million in Defense Production Act Title III (DPA) funds.  The DPA funding includes up to $425 million for twelve projects selected to expand and reinvigorate America’s coal fleet and up to $75 million for the West Gateway Terminal Project, a rail-served marine export terminal capable of handling more than 10 million tons of bulk commodities annually. The West Gateway project in Oakland, California, will expand West Coast export capacity and support energy exports to allied nations including Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Malaysia.  The selected projects are intended to strengthen domestic coal mining value chains, support reliable baseload power generation, and enhance the resilience of critical energy infrastructure. By leveraging DPA authorities, DOE is helping ensure the United States maintains the industrial capacity and energy resources needed to strengthen national security.    “To ensure our national security, the United States will continue to support our coal fleet and domestic supply chains,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright. “For too long, limited West Coast export capacity has constrained America’s ability to move coal and other energy resources to global markets. By investing in both coal generation and critical export infrastructure, including the West Gateway Terminal Project, the Energy Department is strengthening U.S. energy security, reinforcing strategic supply chains, and advancing American energy dominance.”  “The West Gateway Terminal Project fills a critical infrastructure gap in the U.S. energy export system by providing additional West Coast export capacity for American coal producers,” said DOE Under Secretary of Energy Kyle Haustveit. “By expanding access to global markets, the project will support continued growth in U.S. coal exports, improve supply chain resilience, and strengthen energy partnerships with allies throughout the Indo-Pacific region.”  Read more about the DPA-funded projects here. 

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) and Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), today announced an historic $1 billion strategic partnership making Japan the first international partner in President Trump’s Genesis Mission. Today’s announcement marks one of the most significant scientific and technological collaborations between the United States and Japan. Under the partnership, eleven joint scientific teams will unite twelve DOE National Laboratories, one DOE Office of Science User Facility, and twelve leading Japanese research institutions—bringing together some of the world’s most advanced scientific facilities, computing resources, and research talent—to advance breakthroughs in quantum information science, fusion energy, biotechnology, advanced materials, particle physics, and autonomous laboratory systems. “This partnership brings together two of the world’s great scientific powers to accelerate discovery and unlock breakthroughs that will shape the future,” said DOE Under Secretary for Science and Genesis Mission Lead Dr. Darío Gil. “For generations, DOE’s National Laboratories have set the global standard for scientific excellence, delivering breakthroughs that transformed industries, advanced human knowledge, and strengthened prosperity around the world. By combining their unparalleled capabilities with Japan’s world-class scientific institutions, we are helping define how science will be conducted in the age of AI.” “Under Japan’s Seventh Basic Plan for Science, Technology and Innovation, we are expanding investments in science and technology, recognizing AI and computing resources as essential to both research excellence and industrial competitiveness,” said Dr. Yasuyoshi Kakita, Vice-Minister for Policy Coordination, MEXT. “Through our ‘AI for Science’ strategy, MEXT is advancing bold and timely investments in these areas. In this context, the Japan–U.S. strategic partnership will significantly strengthen research capabilities in both countries. We will continue to deepen our cooperation with the United States in close coordination with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.” “Japan

WASHINGTON—U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright issued an emergency order to keep affordable, reliable, and secure coal generation online and address critical grid reliability issues in Florida. The emergency order directs the Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC) to ensure that Unit 1 at the Stanton Energy Center (Stanton) in Orlando, Florida, a coal-fired power plant, remains available to operate. Unit 1 was slated to enter a premature extended cold shutdown in June 2026.   “Taking reliable generation off the grid compromises energy reliability and needlessly raises energy costs for Americans,” said Energy Secretary Wright. “During peak summer demand, Floridians deserve continued access to affordable, reliable, and secure energy to power and cool their homes.”  Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, coal plants across the country are being saved from premature retirement and reversing plans to shut down. In 2025, more than 17 gigawatts of coal-powered electricity generation were saved from going offline.   As outlined in DOE’s Resource Adequacy Report, power outages could increase by 100 times in 2030 if the U.S. continues to take reliable power offline.   NERC’s 2025 Long-Term Reliability Assessment highlights that within the Florida Peninsula subregion, projections for resource and transmission growth lag behind what is needed to support new data centers and other large loads that drive escalating demand forecasts.  This order is in effect beginning on June 4, 2026, through September 1, 2026.  Background:   The North American Electric Reliability Corporation’s (NERC) 2025 Long-Term Reliability Assessment warns, “The growing penetration of renewable energy means that SERC and the SERC-Florida Peninsula entities will need to continue to monitor the resource adequacy studies and the impact that renewable resources will have. As solar generation continues to grow, the need to ensure the availability of quick start generating units to meet the ramp in demand will increase.”                                                                                   ###

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced the selection of four coal modernization and reliability projects to strengthen coal-based generation, grid reliability, and strategic energy infrastructure. The selected projects will expand and reinvigorate America’s coal fleet through targeted upgrades that increase efficiency, extend plant life, and support reliable baseload power generation.   “American coal miners remain essential to American energy dominance,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright. “Unfortunately, previous leaders launched relentless attacks on U.S. coal workers and industry, threatening grid reliability and driving energy prices higher for the American people. Thanks to President Trump, we are not only stopping the premature closure of our coal plants, but also taking steps to expand and modernize existing coal infrastructure. These actions will help ensure affordable, reliable, and secure energy access for decades to come.”  “Affordable, reliable energy is the foundation of human prosperity and economic growth,” said DOE Undersecretary of Energy Kyle Haustveit.  “These investments will help unleash America’s coal miners so they can continue delivering the energy our nation needs to keep the lights on and power the future. Rest assured, coal will play a critical role in our nation’s long-term energy security.” The four projects selected under DOE’s “Restoring Reliability: Coal Recommissioning and Modernization” initiative will receive up to $350 million to expand and reinvigorate America’s coal fleet through targeted upgrades that increase efficiency, extend plant life, and add dependable capacity. Combined, these projects could add or preserve approximately 3,565 megawatts (MW) of coal-fired generation capacity—enough electricity to serve roughly three million U.S. households each year:  Two projects in Anchorage, Alaska, and Mt. Storm, West Virginia, are planning new coal-fired power plants with a combined capacity of 2,850 MW.  One project in Guayama, Puerto Rico, will retrofit and modernize an existing 510-MW coal-fired plant. One project in Cumberland, Maryland, plans to recommission a 205-MW coal facility that ceased operations in 2024.  DOE has committed $525 million to the overall funding opportunity, including $175 million for six previously announced projects to upgrade existing coal facilities.  ###

The oil and gas industry offered a plan to streamline permitting of oil and gas infrastructure in Alaska, and the US Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is advancing the plan to speed development in the nearly 23-million-acre National Petroleum Reserve–Alaska (NPR-A). BLM said May 15 it would amend regulations “to create a new development program” for NPR-A that echoes a proposed rule developed by the Alaska Oil and Gas Association (AOGA), which the group filed with the agency May 12. The plan would apply to gravel pads and roads, pipeline installation, support-infrastructure buildout, materials transport, as well as construction of bridges, culverts, ice roads and pads, according to the AOGA petition. Under the plan, an operator would apply for a permit with a specified number of desired wells along with the size and locations of gravel pads and other construction projects. If BLM deems the application meets the definition of a production site as described in the rule, the agency would have 14 days to review the application and 60 days to approve the permit. The plan only applies to sites meeting “common specifications” of sites already “exhaustively analyzed” for environmental impacts, the petition states. BLM noted Greater Mooses Tooth 1 and 2, Willow, Alpine, among projects analyzed for the types of development covered in AOGA’s petition. “Industry has shown for years that energy development in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska can be done responsibly,” said Interior Secretary Doug Burgum. “The Trump administration is building on that record by giving companies the certainty they need to invest.” Drilling opponents pushed back. “It would be beyond reckless and irresponsible for BLM to turn over the keys to the Western Arctic and virtually walk away,” said Matt Jackson, Alaska senior manager for The Wilderness Society.   Jackson said the proposed changes would