This initiative is designed to strengthen the domestic supply chain for nuclear fuel, a key component in the deployment of advanced nuclear reactor technologies.
Announced in July 2025 under President Trump’s Executive Order ‘Deploying Advanced Nuclear Reactors for National Security’, the initiative aims to reduce US reliance on foreign sources of enriched uranium while fostering a vibrant domestic market for nuclear fuel production.
US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright explained: “Advanced nuclear reactors will be a game-changer for the United States, and with that comes the need to fabricate the fuel for these reactors.
“The Department of Energy is partnering private sector innovation with DOE expertise to assure stronger US nuclear supply lines.”
Advanced nuclear fuel production to begin in Tennessee and Idaho
Standard Nuclear, based in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, will lead the development and operation of a new nuclear fuel fabrication facility.
The project will also utilise infrastructure in Idaho to support production of advanced TRISO fuel – a next-generation nuclear fuel critical for high-performance reactors currently under development.
The company will be fully responsible for the construction, operation, and eventual decommissioning of the facility, while reactor developers will source uranium feedstock through DOE’s High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) allocation program.
Supporting the reactor pilot and US energy goals
The fuel line pilot program directly supports the DOE’s Reactor Pilot Program, which aims to bring at least three advanced reactor designs to operational criticality by 4 July 2026.
These next-generation reactors are expected to use more efficient, safer nuclear fuel like TRISO, allowing for greater resilience and versatility in energy production.
This dual approach fast-tracks research, licensing, and deployment of innovative reactor technologies outside of traditional government labs, opening the door for private-sector investment and commercial-scale deployment.
Why expanding US nuclear fuel capabilities is essential
Expanding domestic nuclear fuel capabilities is a strategic national priority.
For years, the US has depended on foreign countries, including adversarial powers, for enriched uranium and other critical materials. This reliance introduces supply chain vulnerabilities, especially during times of geopolitical tension.
By investing in US-based nuclear fuel production, the government ensures a stable, secure, and sovereign source of reactor fuel to support both civilian energy needs and national defence applications.
It also strengthens America’s global leadership in clean energy innovation and supports carbon reduction goals through reliable, low-emissions nuclear power.
With the selection of Standard Nuclear and the launch of the fuel line pilot initiative, the DOE is laying the foundation for a resilient domestic nuclear fuel supply chain.
This move marks a crucial step toward a future powered by safe, advanced, and American-made nuclear energy.