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GATEWAY FOR ACCELERATED INNOVATION IN NUCLEAR (GAIN) ANNOUNCES ADVANCED NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT VOUCHER OPPORTUNITY

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Department of Energy Celebrates First Advanced Reactor Criticality
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.

Department of Energy Seeks to Partner with Private Sector for Used Nuclear Fuel Recycling
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Nuclear Energy (NE) and Office of Environmental Management (EM) today issued two Requests for Application (RFA) to advance the nation's capabilities in recycling used nuclear fuel. The RFAs support President Trump?s executive orders to advance efforts to strengthen the nation's nuclear industrial base and American energy independence.

DOE announces Finding of No Significant Impact for construction of the MARVEL microreactor at Idaho National Laboratory
Idaho Falls, Idaho - The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) following the Final Environmental Assessment for a proposal to construct the Microreactor Applications Research Validation & EvaLuation (MARVEL) project microreactor inside Idaho National Laboratory's (INL's) Transient Reactor Test Facility.

Agencies Agree to Expand INL Site Disposal Facility
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and State of Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (IDEQ) have agreed to expand an existing waste disposal facility at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) Site. The signed Explanation of Significant Differences for Operable Unit 3-13 Record of Decision for Additional Cell at the ICDF (DOE/ID-12043) , and a responsiveness summary addressing comments received during the public comment period (hereafter referred to as the ICDF ESD), is available in the Administrative Record at https://idahoenvironmental.com/ARIR under the Document ID: DOE/ID12043.

Agencies Set Comment Period, Virtual Meeting on End State for Legacy Reactors, Buildings
Idaho Falls- The U.S. Department of Energy, with concurrence of the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality and the Environmental Protection Agency, have released an engineering evaluation/cost analysis (EE/CA) for a 30-day public comment period beginning October 12, 2022, that recommends their preferred approach and the final end state for the demolition of the Submarine 1st Generation Westinghouse (S1W) and Aircraft Carrier 1st Generation Westinghouse (A1W) prototype facilities at the Naval Reactors Facility at the Idaho National Laboratory site.

U.S. Department of Energy Releases Final Environmental Impact Statement for Versatile Test Reactor
Test Reactor Will Help United States Regain Nuclear Energy Leadership WASHINGTON, D.C. ? The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today released the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the construction of the Versatile Test Reactor (VTR). The proposed VTR will be a sodium-cooled fast-neutron-spectrum test reactor that will enhance and accelerate research, development, and demonstration of innovative nuclear technologies that will play a crucial role in helping the United States reach net-zero emissions by 2050.

DOME, world's first nuclear reactor test bed, ready for privately developed advanced reactors.
Idaho National Laboratory sent this bulletin at 04/08/2026 01:00 PM MDT
(IDAHO FALLS, Idaho) The highly anticipated National Reactor Innovation Center Demonstration of Microreactor Experiments test bed is open for business.
DOME, located at the Idaho National Laboratory, is a first-of-its-kind microreactor test bed that will enable rapid development, testing and demonstration of privately developed advanced nuclear reactors. The test bed will play a role in reinvigorating the American nuclear energy industry and meeting the nation's need to produce abundant, affordable and reliable power.

5 Fast Facts about DOE Reactor Authorization
Learn how the U.S. Department of Energy is working to clear the path for advanced reactor testing with a new, streamlined authorization process. The United States is in the midst of a nuclear energy renaissance that will reestablish the nation as the global leader in nuclear power generation. Advanced nuclear reactors will play a pivotal role in delivering that future. In order to deliver on nuclear energy's promise, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has developed a streamlined process to help accelerate development of next-generation reactor designs.

DOE invites the public to review the draft Programmatic Agreement Concerning Management of the Manner in which the Department of Energy will meet its National Historic Preservation Act on the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) Site
Today, the U.S. Department of Energy, Idaho Operations Office, the Idaho State Historic Preservation Office, and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation released for public review and comment the Programmatic Agreement Concerning Management of the Manner in which the Department of Energy will meet its National Historic Preservation Act on the Idaho National Laboratory Site (INL).

DOE Selects Sodium-Cooled Fast Reactor Design for Versatile Test Reactor in Idaho
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently issued a record of decision (ROD) to build a sodium-cooled fast test reactor at Idaho National Laboratory (INL). If appropriated by Congress, the Versatile Test Reactor (VTR) would be the first fast spectrum test reactor to operate in the United States in nearly three decades The VTR project would help modernize U.S. nuclear energy research and development infrastructure and dramatically accelerate the technology development for current and next-generation reactors.

U.S. Department of Energy Launches $100 Million Nuclear Safety Training and Workforce Development Program
The U.S. Department of Energy today announced $100 million in funding to establish a nuclear safety training and workforce development program. Job growth in the U.S. nuclear energy sector is projected to triple by 2050 thanks to investments made by the Biden-Harris Administration's Investing in America Agenda. The long-term maintenance and sustainability of these reactors is crucial to keeping pace with the growing demand for clean energy. Read the full funding opportunity here.

Department of Energy Celebrates Second Advanced Reactor Achieving Criticality
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today celebrated another historic milestone in America's nuclear renaissance. DOE Reactor Pilot Program participant Valar Atomics? advanced reactor design, Ward 250, successfully completed a zero-power fueled criticality demonstration. The experiment took place at the Utah San Rafael Energy Lab in Emery County, Utah, and marks the first DOE authorized reactor built outside of a national laboratory.

Helpful Info

Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP)
COOP Accountability Procedure: If you are directed or forced to evacuate your current location to an alternate site, please contact us as soon as possible to advise us that you are safe and with a means of contacting you.

Occurrence Reports
To view DOE Occurrence Reports, go to "Policy, Guidance & Reports Dashboards", Click on "PUBLIC FINAL OCCURRENCE REPORTS." Click on "Final ORPS-232.2A" then follow the instructions to view final ORPS reports for a desired site. Users can also click on "Injury and Illness Dashboard" to view reportable injury and illness statistics for a desired site, compiled within that Computerized Accident Incident Reporting System.

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
The stated purposes of NEPA are: To declare a national policy which will encourage productive and enjoyable harmony between man and his environment; to promote efforts which will prevent or eliminate damage to the environment and biosphere and stimulate the health and welfare of man; to enrich the understanding of the ecological systems and natural resources important to the Nation; and to establish a Council on Environmental Quality. DOE-ID provides a comprehensive list of ongoing projects and agreements and publishes them for public viewing.

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) allows you to obtain information from various agencies of the Federal government including the current Department of Energy Idaho Operations Office (DOE-ID) and its operating contractors, as well as predecessor organizations. The Privacy Act (PA) is a companion to the FOIA. The PA allows individuals to seek access to Federal agency records about themselves.

Useful links
Links to different resources.

U.S. Energy Information Administration Teachers and Students Energy Site
U.S Energy Information Administration presents a site where teachers and students can find valuable, fun exercises for teaching our youth about energy, energy sources, how to use and save energy and the history of energy.

About Us

Laboratory Programs
The Department of Energy Idaho Operations Office (DOE-ID) oversees operations conducted at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) site for the Department of Energy (DOE). DOE headquarters (DOE-HQ) has decided to focus its nuclear energy research and development (R&D) programs in Idaho. We are taking measurable steps toward creating and demonstrating the INL site capabilities as a world-class nuclear energy R&D laboratory. Our vision for the INL is to be an enduring national resource known for excellence in operations and the timely delivery of solutions to nuclear energy and other energy resources, national security, and environmental management.

Inside Idaho Operations Office (DOE-ID)
Offers information about DOE-ID's missions and goals, a brief history of the Idaho National Laboratory Site, DOE-ID agreements, Orgcharts, employment opportunites, strategic partnership projects and more.

Idaho National Laboratory (BEA)
Management and Operation of the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) provides information about contracts, finacial assistance and solicitations for public viewing.

Idaho Cleanup Project (Idaho Environmental Coalition)
Management and Operation of the Idaho Cleanup Project (ICP) provides information about contracts, financial assistance and solicitations for public viewing.

Protection Strategies Incorporated (PSI)
Management and Operation of the Protection Strategies Incorporated (PSI) provides information about contracts, financial assistance and solicitations for public viewing.

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