The US Department of Energy has awarded $2.7bn to strengthen domestic enrichment services over the next ten years. The aim is to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers by expanding US capacity for low-enriched uranium (LEU) and jumpstarting new supply chains and innovations for high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU).
“President Trump is catalysing a resurgence in the nation’s nuclear energy sector to strengthen American security and prosperity,” said Secretary of Energy Chris Wright. He added that the 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”.
In 2025, DOE signed contracts with six companies for LEU and HALEU enrichment that allowed them to bid on future work. The task order awards are for “three companies that will transition the United States away from foreign sources of uranium and diversify the nation’s domestic fuel supply”. To ensure accountability, these awards will be distributed to the companies under a strict milestone approach.
The following companies were awarded task orders:
- American Centrifuge Operating ($900m) to create domestic HALEU enrichment capacity;
- General Matter ($900m) to create domestic HALEU enrichment capacity; and
- Orano Federal Services ($900m) to expand US domestic LEU enrichment capacity.
DOE also awarded an additional $28m to Global Laser Enrichment to continue advancing next generation uranium enrichment technology for the nuclear fuel cycle. The award is the result of a competitive solicitation issued in December.
