The finding allows DOE to move forward in scheduling and preparing for its first microreactor test at Idaho National Laboratory.
June 30, 2025
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The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has determined there will be no significant environmental or health impacts related to testing at the Demonstration of Microreactor Experiments (DOME) facility located at Idaho National Laboratory. The finding allows DOE to move forward in scheduling and preparing for its first microreactor test.
DOME is operated by the Department’s National Reactor Innovation Center (NRIC) and is designed to provide private industry with a safe, reliable, and affordable location to test their fueled microreactor experiments. Data generated at the facility will be used for reactor licensing and commercialization efforts to expand the use of reactor technologies in the United States to secure American energy independence and fuel economic growth.
"Today’s decision for the DOME test bed marks a significant milestone in our efforts to advance microreactor technology,” said NRIC Director Brad Tomer. “This initiative not only underscores our commitment to innovation and safety but also paves the way for groundbreaking advancements in the field. We are excited to collaborate with industry partners to bring these technologies to fruition and contribute to a secure energy future."
Prepping for Microreactor Testing
The decision to issue a Finding of No Significant Impact is based on the final DOME environmental assessment released in May that covers any experiment within the review envelope of the facility— avoiding the need for additional environmental reviews for each individual reactor test.
The assessment also detailed the review and analysis of alternatives considered by DOE based on the National Environmental Policy Act and found that testing in DOME will not adversely affect air quality, water resources, socioeconomics, public and occupational health, safety or transportation.
The finding allows DOE to move forward with setting up the necessary infrastructure and processes to support testing activities. This includes the scheduling of reactor experiments, training of personnel at the facility, and securing fuel fabrication contracts.
Industry partners selected to schedule tests in DOME will also be able to complete the final designs of their technologies to adhere to the specific parameters and requirements of the testing environment within the DOME and the environmental assessment.
DOE is currently reviewing the first call of applications for scheduling microreactor experiments at DOME and expects to receive its first reactor for fueling in 2026.
Learn more about DOME test bed and NRIC, visit www.nric.inl.gov.