The U.S. nuclear energy sector is entering a long-awaited resurgence. Over the past few months, momentum has accelerated at a pace the industry has not seen in decades. The Department of Energy’s commitment of $17.5 billion to accelerate the deployment of up to 10 new Westinghouse AP1000 reactors could break the logjam that has prevented large-scale reactor construction from becoming routine in the United States. Now, one or more of the participating utilities must take the next step and move a project forward.

Meanwhile, small modular reactor developers are making steady and visible progress. GE Hitachi’s BWRX-300 is moving ahead in Canada and with the Tennessee Valley Authority. TerraPower, X-energy, and others are advancing their first projects. Microreactor companies are quickly developing new designs, and recent criticality milestones from companies such as Antares demonstrate these technologies are beginning to move from development into operation. For the first time in a generation, America is pursuing not one nuclear future, but many.