House Science Committee Examines Path to U.S. Leadership in Advanced Nuclear Energy

The House Science, Space, and Technology Committee’s Energy Subcommittee recently convened a hearing titled “Powering the Nuclear Renaissance: Accelerating U.S. Leadership in Advanced Nuclear Reactors” to examine how federal research investments, workforce development efforts, and public-private partnerships can support the deployment of next-generation nuclear technologies. Witnesses from national laboratories, universities, and the nuclear industry emphasized that advanced nuclear energy will play a critical role in meeting growing electricity demand, strengthening U.S. competitiveness, and enhancing national security.  

Among the witnesses, Dr. Joe Hoagland, Associate Laboratory Director for Fusion and Fission Energy Science at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), emphasized the importance of sustained federal support for nuclear research, development, and demonstration activities. ORNL's testimony highlighted the laboratory’s role in advancing reactor technologies, materials science, fuel cycle research, and testing capabilities that can help move advanced reactor concepts from research to commercial deployment. Hoagland stressed that national laboratories provide critical infrastructure, expertise, and public-private partnerships that reduce technical risk and accelerate innovation across the nuclear sector. He also emphasized the need for continued investment in supply chain capabilities, fuel availability, and demonstration projects to ensure that the United States remains at the forefront of advanced nuclear technology development.  

Dr. Steven Shannon, Head of the Department of Nuclear Engineering at North Carolina State University, focused much of his testimony on workforce development. Shannon noted that growing interest in advanced reactors has created unprecedented demand for nuclear engineers, operators, researchers, and skilled technicians. He highlighted the importance of university research reactors, academic-industry partnerships, and federal education programs in preparing the next generation of nuclear professionals. According to Shannon, maintaining U.S. leadership in nuclear energy will require not only technological innovation but also a robust pipeline of talent capable of designing, licensing, constructing, and operating advanced nuclear systems. He urged policymakers to continue supporting university-based nuclear education and research programs to ensure that workforce limitations do not become a bottleneck to deployment.  

A theme that emerged throughout the hearing was that advanced nuclear energy is increasingly being viewed as a strategic technology with implications that extend beyond electricity generation. Witnesses discussed applications ranging from industrial energy production and grid reliability to defense installations, maritime propulsion, medical isotope production, and future space missions. Committee members and witnesses also emphasized that maintaining U.S. leadership will require coordination across federal agencies, continued regulatory modernization, and stronger partnerships among government, industry, national laboratories, and academia.  

For engineers and the broader nuclear community, the hearing reinforced a growing bipartisan recognition that advanced nuclear technologies will be an important component of America’s future energy portfolio. Witnesses consistently argued that U.S. success will depend on sustained investments in research infrastructure, demonstration projects, supply chains, and workforce development, coupled with policies that enable innovative technologies to move efficiently from the laboratory to commercial deployment.  

To review the full hearing and witness testimony, visit: https://science.house.gov/2026/9/energy-subcommittee-hearing-nuclear-renaissance