Substantially limit the Office of Nuclear Energy's size and scope

What has happened

1. Aug 31, 2026 Not started

   The Office of Nuclear Energy's size and scope grew rather than shrank. P.L. 119-74 appropriates $1,785,000,000 to Nuclear Energy and section 311(a) transfers a further $3,100,000,000 of IIJA balances into the same account, and NE has taken on the Reactor Pilot Program, the Nuclear Energy Launch Pad and the DOME microreactor test bed since May 2025. The Reactor Pilot Program's dates are now fixed from DOE's own announcements: created 2025-06-18, eleven projects selected 2025-08-12. A sweep of all 155 NE articles at `energy.gov/ne/listings/ne-press-releases`, run 2026-09-03, shows NE acquiring program after program across the window — the pilot program, $900 million for small modular reactor deployment, the DOME test bed, the Nuclear Energy Launch Pad, $94 million to eight companies, HALEU distributions and AI for reactor licensing. Nothing in it limits NE's size or scope.

   • Public Law 119-74, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026

     Primary Congress Jan 23, 2026

   • DOE: Energy Department Announces New Pathway to Test Advanced Reactors — the Reactor Pilot Program is created and a Request for Application issued

     Primary Executive branch Jun 18, 2025

   • DOE Office of Nuclear Energy: One Year After Executive Orders, U.S. Nuclear Energy Renaissance Is in Full Swing

     Primary Executive branch May 23, 2026