The U.S. Department of Energy oversees energy policy, nuclear safety, and national labs; shaping federal science and energy security.
The expansion of AI data centers is meeting increasing resistance from communities, with regulators considering moratoriums and bans while tech giants defend efficiency gains and transparency. New disclosures show progress toward water-use goals, but concerns about environmental impact persist.
The Department of Energy has proposed up to $17.5 billion in loans to support five two-reactor projects built around Westinghouse’s AP1000 design. The plan aims to accelerate construction, standardize supply chains, and attract tech-sector investment, with selections expected after letters of intent were signed by seven potential partners.
The Vera C. Rubin Observatory has begun the Legacy Survey of Space and Time, a 10-year program that will image the southern sky every few nights. The telescope has started regular operations from its Chilean mountaintop site and is already returning new detections, including thousands of asteroids and transient views such as Comet 3I/ATLAS.
The White House has requested $87.6 billion in supplemental spending, primarily to replenish Pentagon munitions and operational costs tied to the Iran war, and to fund farm aid, Ebola response and domestic projects. OMB Director Russell Vought has urged Congress to act quickly; lawmakers in both parties are questioning whether to approve tens of billions more for the conflict.
The United States has signed a 30‑year civilian nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia that will be submitted to Congress. The pact will allow US firms to help build Saudi nuclear power and — after a joint study — could permit domestic uranium enrichment, a provision that has provoked non‑proliferation and regional security concerns.
The United States has signed a 30-year nuclear cooperation framework with Saudi Arabia, enabling uranium enrichment and US-backed reactors under a 123 agreement and a bilateral safeguards pact. The deal goes to Congress for review amid concerns over proliferation and safeguards.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has proposed replacing the long-standing ALARA principle with a graded approach, maintaining existing dose limits while tightening actions based on potential radiation exposure. The move comes amid a push from the Trump administration to expand U.S. nuclear power, with officials arguing the change clarifies safety requirements. Critics warn potential dose creep toward limits.
Nvidia is in talks to back financing for OpenAI’s 10-gigawatt data center project in southern Ohio, a move that would guarantee lease and construction debt while excluding chips' cost. The discussions are part of a broader, circle-financing pattern across the AI sector, with OpenAI aiming to scale its own infrastructure amid competition.
The Energy Department has selected five states as potential hosts for Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campuses to advance civilian nuclear energy. The plan envisions campuses with waste sites, enrichment, and advanced reactors, potentially attracting up to $50 billion in private investment and creating thousands of jobs.Trump aims to accelerate domestic nuclear growth amid changing safety debates.