The US Department of Energy is directing 2.7 billion dollars over the next decade to three companies to expand domestic uranium enrichment, a federal investment aimed at rebuilding fuel supply for the nation's reactors and future advanced designs. The awards target both low-enriched uranium and high-assay low-enriched uranium, known as HALEU.
The funding is split across three recipients. American Centrifuge Operating received a 900 million dollar task order to create domestic HALEU enrichment capacity, General Matter received 900 million dollars for the same purpose, and Orano Federal Services received 900 million dollars to expand US low-enriched uranium enrichment. An additional 28 million dollars went to Global Laser Enrichment to advance next-generation enrichment technology.
The strategic rationale centers on supply security. Both LEU and HALEU are needed to power the current reactor fleet and to fuel the advanced reactors now entering construction. Russia is currently the only country producing HALEU at commercial scale, and the US funding supports building domestic capacity ahead of a legislated ban on Russian uranium imports that takes full effect in 2028.
Progress is already visible at facility level. Orano is on track to submit its NRC license application in early 2026, with production targeted for 2031, and American Centrifuge Operating was selected to expand its Piketon, Ohio facility to include commercial-scale HALEU production. The investment marks one of the federal government's largest direct commitments to the nuclear fuel supply chain in decades, supporting both reactor operators and domestic enrichment companies.
Source: Nuclear Newswire - https://www.ans.org/news/article-7652/doe-awards-27b-for-haleu-and-leu-enrichment/