The US Department of Energy (DOE) has announced the start of a new pilot programme to accelerate development of advanced nuclear reactors and strengthen domestic supply chains for nuclear fuel. DOE has issued a Request for Application (RFA) and is seeking qualified US companies to build and operate nuclear fuel production lines using the DOE authorisation process. The aim is to end US reliance on foreign sources of enriched uranium and critical materials, while opening the door for private sector investment in America’s nuclear renaissance.
This directly supports President Trump’s Executive Orders to reform nuclear reactor testing and to deploy nuclear reactor technologies for national security and to establish a domestic nuclear fuel supply chain for testing new reactors.
In June DOE established a pilot programme for reactor construction and operation on sites located outside of the national laboratories in accordance with Executive Order 14301 to reform and streamline national laboratory processes for reactor testing at the Department. DOE is currently reviewing potential applicants and anticipates selecting at least three advanced reactor designs later this summer that have the potential to achieve criticality by 4 July 2026.
The United States currently lacks the sufficient domestic nuclear fuel resources to meet projected demand, and DOE is relying on the same authority to develop or build fuel production lines to increase production capacity under Executive Order 14299 to deploy advanced nuclear reactor technologies for national security.
The Fuel Line Pilot Program supports the Reactor Pilot Program and establishes a domestic nuclear fuel supply chain for testing new reactors. The programme leverages the DOE authorisation process to build and operate nuclear fuel production lines to serve for research, development, and demonstration purposes and to provide a fast-tracked approach to commercial licensing. Initial applications are due by 15 August with subsequent applications allowed on a rolling basis.
“America has the resources and the expertise to lead the world in nuclear energy development, but we need secure domestic supply chains to fuel this rapidly growing energy source and achieve a true nuclear energy renaissance,” said Energy Secretary Chris Wright. “The Trump Administration is accelerating innovation, not regulation, and leveraging partnerships with the private sector to safely fuel and test new reactor designs that will unleash more reliable and affordable energy for American consumers.”
