DOE pilot: 'criticality by July 4, 2026' explained

Spurred by a suite of executive orders and investments from the federal government, new nuclear reactors are coming soon. Or the announcements are at least. 

The advanced nuclear sector has found itself in the spotlight as companies race to acquire licenses and permits aimed at achieving "criticality.” But what do these milestones signify? And is hitting the deadlines even feasible?

In this episode, Shayle talks to Katy Huff,  former assistant secretary for nuclear energy at the Department of Energy and current associate professor at the University of Illinois. They unpack the wave of new nuclear announcements, the realities of navigating an arcane regulatory gauntlet, and what Katy considers a realistic timeline for new nuclear deployment.

Shayle and Katy cover topics like:

• The NRC’s “murky” pre-application process

• The differences between various licensing pathways

• Why Katy views the DOE’s goal to have three reactors reach criticality by July 4th as “an extremely aggressive milestone”

• Upcoming revised guidance on nuclear radiation dose rates

• The challenges facing the DOE amidst a staff shortage

• Katy’s assessment of a feasible timeline for getting new reactors operational

• Why Katy doesn’t think microreactors are economically scalable…yet

• Catalyst: The US nuclear groundswell

• Open Circuit: Inside Meta’s massive nuclear push

• Latitude Media: The self-inflicted hurdles facing Trump’s nuclear orders