Nuclear power is set to hold a steady 18 percent share of U.S. electricity generation in 2026, roughly matching 2025 levels, even as policymakers move to speed the path for new reactor designs. The country operates 94 reactors that together produce about 100 gigawatts of electricity, making nuclear the largest source of around-the-clock carbon-free power on the grid.
Federal action is aimed at shortening development timelines. The Department of Energy launched a fast-track pilot program that allows selected advanced reactors to reach criticality at non-federal sites as early as July 4, 2026, bypassing some traditional licensing steps for initial testing. The move follows a directive under the Advance Act that requires the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to enable more efficient and predictable licensing reviews, including for reactors sited at retired fossil fuel plants.
Project milestones are stacking up. TerraPower, a demonstration awardee under the Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program, received the first construction permit for a commercial Generation IV reactor from the NRC. Separately, awards under the Generation III Plus Small Modular Reactor program went to the Tennessee Valley Authority to advance a GE Vernova Hitachi BWRX-300 unit in Tennessee and to Holtec to support its SMR-300 in Michigan.
Rising electricity demand from data centers and manufacturing is driving much of the renewed interest. Utilities and technology firms increasingly view nuclear as a way to add large blocks of reliable generation, a shift that is pulling new capital and federal support toward both the existing fleet and next-generation designs.
Source: American Nuclear Society - https://www.ans.org/news/2026-07-16/article-8210/nuclear-is-ready-now/