The United States is making its most significant investment in uranium enrichment in decades.
The Department of Energy (DOE) has unveiled a major $2.7bn plan to rebuild and expand domestic uranium enrichment capacity over the next ten years.
The funding marks a decisive shift away from foreign uranium suppliers, signalling a renewed national push to strengthen energy security while accelerating what officials describe as a new era for American nuclear power.
Rebuilding America’s uranium enrichment base
At the heart of the initiative is the expansion of US capabilities to produce low-enriched uranium (LEU), the fuel used by today’s commercial nuclear reactors, alongside the development of high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU), a next-generation fuel required for advanced reactor designs.
By investing in both, the DOE aims to ensure that America’s 94 operating nuclear reactors continue to run reliably while laying the groundwork for future nuclear technologies.
Companies selected for funding
To advance this goal, the DOE has awarded task orders to three companies previously selected through competitive contracts.
American Centrifuge Operating and General Matter will each receive $900m to establish domestic HALEU enrichment capacity, a critical step given the current absence of large-scale HALEU production in the United States.
Orano Federal Services will receive an additional $900m to expand domestic LEU enrichment, strengthening the backbone of the existing nuclear fleet.
The DOE emphasised that funding will be released under a milestone-based structure to ensure accountability and measurable progress as projects move from development to production.
Supporting advanced technology and innovation
Beyond conventional enrichment capacity, the DOE is also investing in innovation. An additional $28m has been awarded to Global Laser Enrichment to advance next-generation uranium enrichment technology.
Laser-based enrichment methods have the potential to reduce costs and energy use while improving efficiency across the nuclear fuel cycle, positioning the United States as a leader in cutting-edge enrichment science.
US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright added, “These awards show that this Administration is committed to restoring a secure domestic nuclear fuel supply chain capable of producing the nuclear fuels needed to power the reactors of today and the advanced reactors of tomorrow.”
Why domestic uranium enrichment matters
Expanding domestic uranium enrichment is strategically vital for the United States. For decades, the nation has relied heavily on foreign enrichment services, including suppliers from geopolitically sensitive regions.
This dependence has left US nuclear operators vulnerable to supply disruptions, price volatility, and broader geopolitical risks.
By rebuilding domestic enrichment capacity, the US strengthens its energy independence and safeguards a power source that provides roughly one-fifth of the nation’s electricity and more than half of its carbon-free generation.
A reliable domestic supply of LEU and HALEU also supports the deployment of advanced reactors designed to be safer, more flexible, and better suited for industrial and remote applications.
Just as importantly, the investment is expected to create high-skilled American jobs, stimulate regional economies, and restore technical expertise that has eroded over time.
As global demand for nuclear energy rises, a robust US uranium enrichment sector positions the country not only to meet its own needs but to compete internationally in the growing nuclear marketplace.
Together, these investments represent a cornerstone of America’s nuclear renaissance, ensuring that uranium enrichment becomes a strategic strength rather than a vulnerability once again.
