Nuclear Energy Now tracks the latest nuclear energy developments across technology, diplomacy, industry trends, and geopolitics.

Switzerland Moves to End Its Nuclear Energy Ban

Switzerland is the latest European country to consider overturning its ban on nuclear energy. Earlier this year, Italy ended its 40-year moratorium, Belgium reversed its phase-out policy, and Denmark began reviewing its four-decade ban amid European energy security concerns. Switzerland’s government has introduced draft legislation that would reverse the 2018 policy to phase out nuclear power and would let companies apply for licenses to build reactors, subject to parliamentary approval and possible referendum. The new legislation is a counter-proposal to the “Stop the Blackout” initiative, which seeks a constitutional guarantee for new nuclear development—a slower, riskier route, according to the government. If passed, the law would signal further momentum for nuclear energy’s revival in Europe, reflecting governments’ urgency to secure stable, low-carbon power as electricity demand grows, AI development surges, and geopolitical tensions continue.

Illinois Weighs Ending Its Large-Scale Nuclear Ban

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has voiced support for ending the state’s 1987 moratorium on large-scale nuclear energy projects, after State Senator Sue Rezin (R-Morris) introduced legislation that would streamline permitting for nuclear energy. The state, which generates more nuclear power than any other in the United States, already lifted its ban on small modular reactors in December 2023, allowing limited deployment of new technologies. Pritzker says expanding that policy to include larger facilities would be “an important part of a transition to renewable energy everywhere.” While a similar measure failed in the General Assembly last spring, the renewed push aligns with a growing number of US statesmoving to expand nuclear capacity as a strategy for meeting clean energy goals and ensuring grid reliability.

Air Force Taps Microreactors

The US Air Force has signed an agreement with California-based Radiant to deploy microreactors at bases, aiming to promote energy independence, increase reliability, and reduce reliance on diesel generators. Radiant seeks to build the units in Wyoming, with delivery slated for 2028 under the Advanced Nuclear Power for Installations program overseen by the Defense Innovation Unit. The deal follows Radiant’s selection for reactor testing at Idaho National Laboratory in 2026—the first new US reactor design to be evaluated there in almost five decades—and aligns with President Trump’s executive order for the Department of Defense to operate a nuclear reactor at a military base by 2028. A similar effort is being advanced for Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska. The Air Force issued a Notice of Intent to Award to Oklo for another microreactor project. If achieved, the Radiant and Oklo microreactor projects would mark an important shift in how US military bases are powered. 

The United Kingdom Is Preparing to Overhaul Nuclear Regulations

Taking a page out of President Donald Trump’s deregulation playbook, the United Kingdom is moving toward a major deregulation of its nuclear sector after a government-commissioned review found that current rules are “not fit for purpose” and have caused “huge delays and ballooning costs.” John Fingleton, the head of the task force that Prime Minister Keir Starmer appointed, found that a culture of “gold-plating” and “risk aversion” has made civil and defense nuclear programs too complex, duplicative, and inconsistent—deterring both established and new market participants.The review follows rising costs at flagship projects, including Hinkley Point C (whose costs have ballooned from £18 billion to £48 billion) and Sizewell C (£38 billion). Prime Minister Keir Starmer has signaled that recommendations—due this fall—will be implemented quickly. The shift reflects growing political and industry concern that overregulation is undermining the UK’s ability to deliver nuclear capacity on time and within budget and could set the stage for faster buildout of reactors to meet climate and energy security goals. 

The Department of Energy Fast-Tracks Test Reactors

Following President Donald Trump’s executive orders on nuclear energy earlier this year, the Department of Energy announced the creation of the Reactor Pilot Program, aiming to “construct, operate, and achieve criticality” of three test reactors by the summer of next year. Now, the Department of Energy has selected 11 projects from Aalo Atomics, Antares Nuclear, Atomic Alchemy, Deep Fission Inc., Last Energy, Oklo, Natura Resources LLC, Radiant Energy, Terrestrial Energy, and Valar Atomics for the program. By authorizing projects outside of national lab sites, the initiative is designed to cut development timelines and lower costs, potentially giving smaller advanced reactor developers a clearer pathway to commercialization. If successful, the program could accelerate the small modular reactor market, reshape US reactor licensing norms, and strengthen the supply chain for future commercial builds.

About the Author: Emily Day 

Emily Day is an experienced researcher, writer, and editor with expertise in geopolitics, nuclear energy, and global security. She is an Associate Editor of Energy World at The National Interest and a Research Associate at Longview Global Advisors, where she provides insights on global political and economic trends with a specialization in utilities, risk, sustainability, and technology. She was previously a Della Ratta Energy and Global Security Fellow at the Partnership for Global Security. 

Image: Vink Fan/Shutterstock

The post Nuclear Energy Now – DOE Fast-Tracks Advanced Reactors appeared first on The National Interest.