It might surprise many people to learn that nearly every operating reactor in the world has technological roots in Idaho. The fact is, the Idaho National Laboratory (INL), which was known as the National Reactor Testing Station in its early days, has been leading the way in nuclear energy research and development for more than 70 years.
INL consists of an 890-square-mile area in southeastern Idaho, as well as laboratories and administrative buildings located approximately 35 miles to the east in the city of Idaho Falls. For perspective, consider that the site is nearly the size of Rhode Island, albeit with far fewer people—much of the land is considered desert.
