{
  "date": "2026-07-25",
  "slug": "doe-microreactor-criticality-aalo-data-center-energy-watch",
  "title": "Four U.S. Microreactors Hit Criticality \u2014 What That Actually Means",
  "official_sources": [
    "https://www.energy.gov/em/articles/em-specialists-help-doe-achieve-criticality-milestones-advanced-reactors",
    "https://www.energy.gov/articles/department-energy-celebrates-fourth-criticality-ahead-july-4th-goal",
    "https://www.energy.gov/articles/department-energy-celebrates-first-advanced-reactor-criticality",
    "https://www.energy.gov/articles/department-energy-celebrates-second-advanced-reactor-achieving-criticality"
  ],
  "reporting_sources": [
    "https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/articles/criticality-for-fourth-us-microreactor-meets-deadline",
    "https://www.ans.org/news/article-8237/developers-officials-talk-advanced-reactor-outlook-with-nrc/",
    "https://www.powermag.com/aalo-atomics-test-reactor-reaches-criticality-at-inl-fourth-doe-authorized-advanced-reactor-by-july-4/"
  ],
  "evidence_label": "official milestone; not commercial deployment; not investment advice"
}