The Department of Energy announced $2.7 billion in awards on January 5 to strengthen domestic uranium enrichment capacity over the next decade, one of the largest federal commitments to nuclear fuel infrastructure in recent history. The funding is designed to reduce US reliance on foreign uranium suppliers and expand domestic production of both low-enriched uranium and the high-assay low-enriched uranium needed for advanced reactor designs.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the awards demonstrate the administration's commitment to restoring a secure domestic nuclear fuel supply chain capable of powering both today's reactor fleet and the advanced reactors under development. Three companies received task orders of $900 million each: American Centrifuge Operating and General Matter for domestic HALEU enrichment capacity, and Orano Federal Services to expand domestic LEU enrichment capacity.
DOE also awarded an additional $28 million to Global Laser Enrichment to continue developing next-generation enrichment technology, the result of a competitive solicitation issued in December 2025. The awards will be distributed to recipients under a milestone-based structure intended to ensure accountability as projects progress.
The investment is meant to secure fuel supply for the nation's 94 commercial reactors while building the domestic supply base needed to support future deployment of advanced reactor designs across the country.
Source: U.S. Department of Energy - https://www.energy.gov/articles/us-department-energy-awards-27-billion-restore-american-uranium-enrichment