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This primer provides basic information on advanced reactors to help the public and stakeholders understand the promise of innovative nuclear technologies. Dozens are under development around the world; this primer focuses on those in the United States and Canada.

This document was last updated in November 2025.

This 2025 update of Company Compendium serves as an introduction to the advanced reactor business ecosystem for potential investors and other key stakeholders. 

The Nuclear Innovation Alliance hosted a publication webinar for our updated Advanced Nuclear Energy Technology Primer and Company Compendium, with speakers Zach Koshgarian of NIA, Judi Greenwald of NIA, Scott Kopple of BWX Technologies, Jeff Miller of Terrapower, and moderator Ben Finzel. 

These updated reports provide information, resources, and insights into advanced nuclear technology innovation and commercialization. They should serve as resources for investors, reporters, policymakers, regulator,s and others who want to learn more about advanced nuclear technologies and the key players building this industry. With increasing attention being paid to supporting the technologies required to meet mid-century climate goals, these resources should serve as helpful guides to understanding the basics of advanced nuclear energy technology and the companies involved in the design, licensing, construction, and operation of advanced nuclear reactors.  

To download our Company Compendium click here

To download our Primer click here

Federal oversight of nuclear reactors in the United States sits at the complex intersection of law, national security imperatives, and civilian regulatory independence. This brief examines the legal and historical context, tracing the statutes that assign authority for NRC to license and regulate commercial nuclear reactors, DOE to “authorize” nuclear reactors for research activities, and DoD to permit the operation of nuclear reactors for military use. It also explores interagency interfaces, agreements, and delegations, which shape the coordination of nuclear reactor oversight. 

NIA recommends a concerted effort by all three agencies to ensure that technically mature, new nuclear reactor concepts are deployed with appropriate federal oversight and regulatory clarity to inspire public confidence. 

This updated NIA fact sheet highlights the expected advanced reactor engagement with the NRC in fiscal year 2026

The NRC is already experimenting and making improvements in reducing licensing review times without changing the diligence or substance of its evaluations, and the results are promising. If the projected volume of applications materializes, the NRC will need to continue to apply the new approaches it has begun using, as well as seek out additional efficiencies. This paper lays out actionable recommendations on what NRC can do now—under existing statutory authority—to further compress schedules while preserving safety, due process, and analytical quality. 

This report highlights the commercial, political, and social value proposition of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) reprocessing and recycling in today’s nuclear energy landscape and recommends policy changes that can help accelerate private sector reprocessing and recycling efforts to realize societal benefits.  

This brief, authored by NIA President & CEO Judi Greenwald, connects the role of advanced nuclear energy in meeting climate and energy security goals with the urgent need for NRC reform to enable advanced nuclear energy. It outlines the short-, medium- and long-term NRC reforms that are necessary to achieve that goal. It provides recommendations for action by Congress and the NRC and highlights several of NIA's recommendations for improving licensing efficiency. NIA developed this brief to serve as a guide for policymakers, the NRC itself, and key stakeholders in considering and then taking action to ensure the NRC can successfully meet this moment.

This brief was last updated in October 2025

The nuclear energy industry has gone through phases of growth and contraction throughout the 21st century. Currently, there is a resurgence in nuclear energy interest, with numerous funding rounds, project announcements, and partnership agreements in the last decade. Amid all the fervor, it can be difficult to assess the viability and maturity of individual projects and to evaluate industry progress as a whole. This document discusses several key indicators of progress that stakeholders and investors can use to assess a nuclear project’s likelihood of successful completion. These indicators include:  

• Site selection
• Licensing progress 
• Offtake agreements  
• Project team  
• Funding 

In spring 2025, the Nuclear Innovation Alliance (NIA) held a workshop and conducted one-on-one interviews to discuss internal dynamics affecting the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s organizational workplace culture. The workshop participants and interviewees included former NRC Commissioners, senior leadership, and staff. Based on these discussions, NIA synthesized the findings into five pillars, each containing actionable recommendations. The five pillars include: 

• Accountability, Autonomy, and Alignment 
• Leadership Development and Qualifications 
• Differing Professional Opinions, Concurrence Processes, and Interactions with the Office of General Counsel 
• Employee Retention  
• Recruitment.