Nuclear

Nuclear startup Oklo splits its first atoms in test reactor

It’s a demonstration of the tech Oklo will use for its medical isotope business — not power plants — but marks a milestone nonetheless for the buzzy firm.

By Alexander C. Kaufman . 6 August 2026

Oklo co-founder and CEO Jacob DeWitte and Energy Secretary Chris Wright tour a site at the Idaho National Laboratory, where the startup aims to build a small modular reactor. (Natalie Behring via Getty Images)

Nuclear

Microreactor startup Valar Atomics raises $1B

Valar, which has been called “the Trump administration’s favorite nuclear startup,” faces a steep path to realizing its vision — even with a giant funding round.

By Alexander C. Kaufman . 4 August 2026
Nuclear

‘It’ll take more’: CFS nets another $1B to chase nuclear fusion dream

Commonwealth Fusion Systems has now raised a total of $4B to commercialize its nuclear fusion technology. It aims to bring its pilot reactor online next year.

By Alexander C. Kaufman . 30 July 2026
Fossil fuels

A $100M Ohio energy fund lacks transparency — and excludes renewables

JobsOhio, which is administering the new fund, has drawn criticism for limiting the opportunity to nuclear and natural gas — and for its opaque process.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 22 July 2026
Nuclear

Nuclear energy could be in for a big decade

The global fleet of nuclear power plants is poised to expand quickly as climate goals, security concerns, and rising demand renew interest in the energy source.

By Dan McCarthy . 17 July 2026
Nuclear

Holtec bets big on small nuclear reactors in its IPO filing

As it pivots from shutting down nuclear plants to building them, Holtec says small modular reactors can cut costs and speed construction. Now it has to prove it.

By Alexander C. Kaufman . 15 July 2026
Nuclear

America’s first nuclear plant restart may be near the finish line

After a few missed targets, Holtec says the remaining tasks to bring Michigan’s Palisades plant back online are equal to restoring service after a routine outage.

By Alexander C. Kaufman . 10 July 2026
Fossil fuels

North Carolina bill would prop up coal until new nuclear is approved

The Republican-backed House passed the Ratepayer Protection Act, which could rein in some data center costs but extend the life of costly old coal plants.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 9 June 2026
Nuclear

A safer nuclear fuel is gaining steam — but cost remains a hurdle

New U.S. regulations and a wave of startup interest are breathing new life into TRISO-fueled reactors, which have struggled to take off due to high fuel costs.

By Alexander C. Kaufman . 2 June 2026
Nuclear

X-energy gets federal environmental approval for Texas nuclear reactors

It’s a milestone for the Amazon-backed firm, which still needs safety approvals from the NRC before it can begin building its 80-MW gas-cooled reactors.

By Alexander C. Kaufman . 18 May 2026
Nuclear

America’s nuclear dry spell is over

After years of no new nuclear power construction in the U.S., both Kairos and TerraPower broke ground on reactors last month. Other projects are moving ahead too.

By Alexander C. Kaufman . 5 May 2026