U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich questioned experts on March 19 during a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing about the Department of Energy’s implementation of President Trump’s May 2025 executive orders on nuclear energy.
The hearing focused on how to streamline nuclear energy development and the Trump administration’s plan to release congressionally appropriated funds for new nuclear technologies. The discussion is significant as it addresses both financial risk management in public-private partnerships and the timely deployment of advanced reactor projects, which are seen as critical for the future of U.S. energy infrastructure.
Heinrich began by asking Dr. Mike Laufer, Co-Founder and CEO of Kairos Power, about milestone-based cost approaches in contracting partnerships. Heinrich said, “I want to start with you, Dr.Laufer. I want to ask you to sort of go a little deeper into the milestone-based cost approach that you outlined in terms of contracting, and talk about how that helps you manage financial risk in these public-private partnerships and what value it might bring to other developers as well.”
Dr. Laufer explained, “Yeah. Thank you, Senator. So, the contract that Kairos has with DOE as part of our ARDP Award is milestone-based, and it's a fixed support milestone... Those milestones are significant... What the milestones do is they provide flexibility in how they're achieved... That gives us a lot of flexibility, which is very valuable, and it removes a lot of the overhead burning from conventional contracts.”
Heinrich then asked if this approach resulted in faster development cycles. Dr. Laufer responded, “Yes. Well, it works with our cycle and allows us to be agile and change plans... because Kairos controls where we spend the money to achieve the milestones, it allows us the flexibility to make sure that we're using our investment efficiently to achieve those milestones.”
The senator also raised concerns about High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) supply for advanced reactors. Dr. Laufer replied, “So, the development of the supply chain for the High-Assay LEU is imperative for us and for others... But that clock is ticking, and there's urgency for others... having that partnership with DOE for the early demonstration projects is critical...”
Turning to Theodore J. Garrish, DOE Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy, Heinrich asked about disbursing $3.1 billion appropriated by Congress for advanced reactor programs. Garrish said, “As you know, Senator – thank you for the question – there was a short deadline for indicating back to the Congress as to what our plans were... We have provided to the Appropriators our suggested allocations... OMB ... will ... provide that money in some timely fashion ... over the next several months.”
The hearing highlighted ongoing efforts by lawmakers and industry leaders to ensure efficient use of federal funds while advancing next-generation nuclear technology.
