What new nuclear technologies mean for safety, costs, and more.

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MIT Technology Review

Next-generation nuclear reactors use high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) fuel enriched to 5-20% U-235, creating supply chain challenges as Russia currently monopolizes production and the US has banned Russian imports. Advanced reactors incorporate passive safety features and alternative coolants, but recent Trump administration rule changes have raised concerns about weakened oversight. Capital costs for first-of-a-kind advanced reactors are projected at $6,000-$10,000 per kilowatt, potentially dropping 40% with scale, making them more expensive than natural gas ($1,600/kW) or renewables but offering 60+ years of reliable baseload power.

Three questions about next-generation nuclear power, answered