DOE Awards $2.7 Billion to Bolster Domestic Uranium Enrichment

The United States Department of Energy awarded approximately $2.7 billion in contracts to three companies to expand domestic uranium enrichment and reduce dependence on foreign fuel sources, specifically Russian supplies, ahead of a 2028 import ban. American Centrifuge Operating, General Matter, and Orano Federal Services each received $900 million task orders to secure fuel for the 90 to 94 existing commercial nuclear reactors and future modular deployments.

American Centrifuge Operating, a subsidiary of Centrus Energy, and General Matter will use their funding to establish high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) capacity. General Matter plans to develop this capacity at a future facility in Paducah, Kentucky. Orano Federal Services will focus on low-enriched uranium (LEU) capacity, including the Project IKE facility in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and a development building in Richland, Washington.

Additionally, the department awarded $28 million to Global Laser Enrichment to advance next-generation laser enrichment technology. Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated the initiative is critical for restoring a secure domestic nuclear fuel supply chain to strengthen national security and prosperity. These investments align with the goal of increasing U.S. nuclear energy capacity from 100 GW to 400 GW by 2050, supporting the energy demands of artificial intelligence and data centers.