In a significant move to bolster domestic nuclear fuel supply chains, the U.S. Department of Energy announced on Monday that Standard Nuclear has been conditionally selected as the first company to participate in its newly established fuel line pilot program. This development builds on initiatives outlined in July 2025, aiming to reduce reliance on foreign sources of enriched uranium and enhance private investment in the American nuclear sector.
U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright praised the initiative, stating, “With President Trump’s leadership, the Energy Department is moving at a rapid pace to unleash innovation and maintain American leadership in nuclear energy development. 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 pilot program, which is part of the broader Executive Order Deploying Advanced Nuclear Reactors for National Security, seeks to create a self-sustaining supply chain for nuclear fuel, thereby ensuring national security. Standard Nuclear, based in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, will utilize the DOE’s authorization process to secure a reliable supply of nuclear fuel in both Tennessee and Idaho.
As demand for advanced fuel increases—particularly for reactor designs utilizing TRISO fuel—Standard Nuclear has committed to covering all costs related to the facility’s construction, operation, and eventual decommissioning. Meanwhile, reactor project developers will focus on sourcing nuclear material feedstock for fuel fabrication, potentially benefiting from the DOE’s high-assay low-enriched uranium allocation program.
This pilot program is instrumental to the DOE’s goal of achieving criticality for at least three advanced reactor designs by July 4, 2026. These initiatives directly support President Trump’s executive orders aimed at reforming nuclear reactor testing and deploying innovative nuclear technologies for enhanced national security.
As the U.S. strives to lead in advanced nuclear energy, these steps underscore the administration’s commitment to ensuring a robust, homegrown supply chain for nuclear fuel.