Small modular reactors are powering a nuclear renaissance in America, and the communities hosting them are surprisingly supportive, even as federal safety oversight faces significant cuts. At Idaho National Laboratory (INL), a 900-square-mile nuclear testing ground that has operated since 1949, three companies recently activated new reactor designs this summer, marking a turning point for an industry that has stalled for decades.

What's Happening With Nuclear Power in Idaho Right Now?

Deployable Energy, a startup operating at INL, recently took its test reactor "critical" for the first time, meaning it achieved a sustained chain reaction and proved its design works. This milestone represents a shift away from massive, expensive nuclear plants that power millions of homes toward micro reactors designed to serve smaller communities, military bases, and artificial intelligence data centers. The goal is fundamentally different from 20th-century nuclear infrastructure.

"It's something deployable. It's something that you can put on the back of a truck. It is a fundamentally different proposition," said Lance Maul, Chief Operating Officer at Deployable Energy.

Lance Maul, Chief Operating Officer at Deployable Energy

These micro reactors could power approximately 1,000 homes each, compared to traditional plants serving 1 million. The Trump administration has accelerated this momentum by fast-tracking new projects and speeding up reactor permitting at the Department of Energy, removing hundreds of pages of regulations without public notification, according to NPR reporting cited in the source material.

Why Aren't Local Residents Concerned About Nuclear Safety?

In Atomic City, Idaho, population 52, residents who work at INL express confidence in the technology and its safety record. Vickie O'Haro, who owns a local bar and race track where lab workers gather, said she has no concerns despite living 10 miles from the facility. This local acceptance stands in sharp contrast to broader American sentiment. A March Gallup poll shows a majority of Americans still oppose a nuclear energy plant in their area, yet polling also reveals growing support for the U.S. "emphasizing" nuclear power more broadly.

O'Haro's confidence reflects decades of operational history at INL without incident in her community. "If it wasn't safe, my guys would tell me that we weren't safe," she said, referring to her regular customers who work at the laboratory. This trust is rooted in proximity and familiarity rather than formal regulatory assurance.

What Are the Regulatory Concerns Experts Are Raising?

Despite local optimism, nuclear safety advocates are sounding alarms about reduced federal oversight. The federal commission overseeing commercial nuclear development has lost hundreds of staff members, particularly safety experts, due to Trump administration cuts and resignations, according to ProPublica reporting cited in the source material. Companies now testing their reactors will seek approval from this understaffed commission.

"I don't think cutting corners when you're talking about nuclear safety is a good idea. I'm concerned about its impact on the communities around INL," warned Edwin Lyman, Nuclear Power Safety Director at the Union of Concerned Scientists.

Edwin Lyman, Nuclear Power Safety Director at the Union of Concerned Scientists

Lyman expressed particular concern about reduced standards surrounding radiation, security, and environmental contamination. He stated he has "no confidence in the Department of Energy and its oversight of this at all," highlighting a disconnect between accelerated deployment timelines and the resources available to ensure public safety.

Lyman

How Are Small Modular Reactors Positioned to Transform Energy Infrastructure?

• Remote Community Power: Micro reactors can be deployed to isolated areas that lack access to traditional grid infrastructure, providing reliable electricity without carbon emissions.
• Military Base Operations: The U.S. military is exploring small modular reactors to power bases independently, reducing vulnerability to grid disruptions and supply chain dependencies.
• AI Data Center Energy: As artificial intelligence infrastructure demands surge, small modular reactors offer a carbon-free power source that can be deployed at scale to meet computational energy needs.
• Mass Production Potential: Unlike traditional reactors built one-off, small modular reactors are designed for factory manufacturing, potentially reducing costs and deployment timelines significantly.

Nuclear optimists view small modular reactors as a solution to meet America's rising energy demand without emitting carbon dioxide. The industry has momentum from both political support and technological breakthroughs, with three companies at INL plus one in central Utah switching on new reactor types this summer.

The tension between accelerated deployment and safety oversight reflects a broader challenge facing nuclear energy's resurgence. While communities like Atomic City embrace the economic and energy security benefits of nuclear infrastructure, federal safety experts worry that regulatory shortcuts could undermine public trust and create long-term risks. The next few years will reveal whether this new generation of small modular reactors can deliver on their promise while maintaining the safety standards that have historically protected communities near nuclear facilities.