NuScale ships first U.S. small modular reactor to Idaho by 2029

The U.S. nuclear industry is pushing a decades-old American invention—small modular reactors—to the edge of reality. Last week, regulators approved a 12-module NuScale plant in Idaho, the first-ever green light for a fleet of mini-reactors meant to power everything from factories to remote towns. The decision comes after 15 years of research, $1 billion in federal cash, and repeated delays.

Small modular reactors, or SMRs, are scaled-down versions of traditional nuclear plants. Instead of one giant reactor, they stack multiple small units like Lego bricks, promising faster builds, lower costs, and safer shutdowns. But critics say the tech is unproven at scale, with no real-world plants running anywhere. Supporters insist SMRs are America’s best shot at cheap, clean energy without the sprawling infrastructure of big reactors.

The Idaho project, planned by Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems, now has a federal safety stamp. NuScale will ship its first 77-megawatt module in 2029, with 11 more to follow by 2030. Each module is roughly the size of a rail car, yet can power 60,000 homes. Backers call it a game-changer for rural grids and climate goals. Skeptics warn that cost overruns and unresolved waste disposal could bury the dream before it starts.

What happens next could reshape U.S. energy. If the Idaho plant delivers on promises, more states may adopt SMRs, accelerating the shift away from fossil fuels. If it stumbles, the entire sector may collapse back into the lab. Either way, America’s nuclear gamble is about to face its first real test.