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U.S. Meets Trump SMR Deadline, Safety Groups Warn

6/29/2026

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Story summary
  • U.S. ran Antares on June 4 and Valar went critical on June 18, meeting President Donald Trump’s July 4, 2026 deadline.
  • Department of Energy’s Idaho National Laboratory supplied staff and facilities for the tests.
  • Energy Secretary Chris Wright said U.S. will have small modular reactors (SMRs) by decade’s end, with some generating electricity next year.
  • Union of Concerned Scientists director Edwin Lyman warned that deregulation and waived reviews could lower safety, security standards.