DOE Names Five Finalist States for Nuclear Innovation Campuses

The U.S. Department of Energy selected Idaho, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Utah as finalists to host Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campuses. The federal government intends to select two or three final host states by the end of 2026, with host agreements required by September 30, 2026. These hubs aim to reshore the domestic nuclear fuel cycle—integrating uranium enrichment, fuel fabrication, reprocessing, and permanent waste storage—to reduce reliance on imported uranium, which accounted for approximately 95% of U.S. usage in 2026.

Donald Trump directed the initiative to quadruple domestic nuclear capacity from 100 GW to 400 GW by 2050 to meet power demands from artificial intelligence and data centers. The administration estimates the campuses could attract $50 billion in private investment, create 25,000 jobs, and generate $10 billion in tax revenue. The plan seeks to resolve the decades-old deadlock over nuclear waste by moving away from the Yucca Mountain site in Nevada.

State leaders have responded with specific proposals. Utah Governor Spencer Cox suggested a site in Tooele County, while Oklahoma officials are considering multiple locations focusing on small modular reactors and medical isotope production. To accelerate the rollout, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission is proposing to overhaul radiation safety standards and waste disposal fee structures. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada welcomed the move, noting it acknowledges that Yucca Mountain is dead.