Commercial nuclear reactors all work pretty much the same way. Atoms of a radioactive material split, emitting neutrons. Those bump into other atoms, splitting them and causing them to emit more neutrons, which bump into other atoms, continuing the chain reaction.

Fireplaces are cozy until it’s time to shovel out the ashes. Nuclear power has the same problem: abundant, reliable energy paired with a growing pile of difficult-to-discard spent fuel. But a new reactor design aims to “burn” part of that nuclear ash by turning certain spent fuel back into usable energy.

Framingham-based energy infrastructure firm Ameresco has signed a memorandum of understanding with a nuclear energy company to explore the use of small nuclear reactors at federal and commercial properties.

To move nuclear energy forward in 2026, the Trump administration must deliver results—locking in reactor orders, accelerating fuel supply, and aligning hyperscaler demand with buildable projects.

The order gave DOE and the Pentagon greater involvement in commercial nuclear licensing, a role historically reserved for the NRC. Supporters pointed out that DOE and DOD have long regulated their own nuclear reactors, but opponents worried it would prevent the NRC from double-checking those agencies’ conclusions.

Construction on a revolutionary new kind of nuclear power plant is underway in Kansas. According to KCUR, an NPR affiliate, startup Deep Fission plans to install a small nuclear reactor a mile underground in the town of Parsons.