The US Department of Energy (DOE) has selected Utah, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Idaho as potential host states for Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campuses. US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright signed memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with the five states to begin formal evaluations. They were chosen out of a pool of 28 applications submitted by 26 states following a DOE Request for Information in January, inviting states to express interest in hosting the campuses.
The initiative represents a voluntary federal-state partnership to establish a coherent, end-to-end nuclear energy strategy. By co-locating diverse fuel cycle functions, these campuses are designed to handle:
- Fuel processing: Uranium enrichment and fuel fabrication.
- Energy generation: Deploying advanced commercial nuclear reactors and supporting clean energy manufacturing.
- Waste solutions: Co-locating used nuclear fuel reprocessing and advanced waste disposition options.
- Technology integration: Building next-generation data centres directly alongside dedicated, reliable clean power generation.
DOE selected the five shortlisted states because their state proposals demonstrated existing nuclear infrastructure, a clear alignment with federal energy dominance goals, and a willing political environment. The DOE evaluated applications based on the states’ abilities to quickly scale up full-cycle nuclear ecosystems. Each state has a robust foundation in energy production, research, or manufacturing that can handle complex industrial scaling.
These five Republican-led states proactively volunteered for the initiative, aligning directly with the administration’s goals to quadruple US nuclear capacity by 2050. The states presented concrete regional frameworks and land-use plans capable of safely managing co-located advanced reactors, waste processing, and tech-driven power loads like data centres.
Tennessee centred on its Oak Ridge nuclear hub. It leveraged the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the Y-12 National Security Complex, and an ecosystem of over 230 active nuclear companies. Utah tied its bid directly to its Operation Gigawatt clean energy initiative. The state pitched a massive, fully integrated ecosystem on a proposed campus in Tooele County. Louisiana referred to its newly established Nuclear Strategic Framework. The state’s application focused heavily on expanding heavy manufacturing, uranium conversion, and fuel enrichment capabilities.
Idaho pointed to the extensive expertise of the Idaho National Laboratory, which serves as the nation’s primary testing and development hub for advanced nuclear technology and reactor design. Oklahoma formulated its bid around the state’s aggressive “energy abundance agenda”. It successfully positioned a campus as a catalyst for overlapping research in biotechnology, nuclear technology and aerospace.
The signed MOUs allow the DOE to stress-test these specific sites. The federal government plans to select up to three final host states from this shortlist by the end of 2026.
“Utah welcomes the chance to help America reclaim its leadership in civil nuclear energy,” said Utah Governor Spencer J Cox. “We’re building the advanced technologies that will drive affordable, abundant power across our country. Through Operation Gigawatt, Utah is developing the entire nuclear lifecycle, from fuel production to advanced reactor deployment—strengthening our national security while helping secure America’s energy independence. This campus will accelerate that work.”
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee noted: “As the global epicenter of nuclear energy, Tennessee is honoured to be selected as a potential host for a Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus. As our state answered the call during the Manhattan Project and helped shape the course of history, Tennessee stands ready once again to advance the safe, reliable energy solutions our nation depends on.”
Oklahoma Governor J Kevin Stitt said Oklahoma has always been the leader in energy production and innovation, from the oil boom of the early 1900s to the shale revolution in mid-2000s. “Today marks a new frontier—the chance to add nuclear to our energy abundance agenda. This opportunity is an all hands on deck moment, and I look forward to working with communities across our state to make this campus a reality. I’m grateful to President Trump and Secretary Wright for their leadership and considering Oklahoma, and for the companies, research institutions, and leaders across our state who have already pulled a seat up to the table to be a part of this project.”
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry said Louisiana shares the President’s vision for nuclear power and America’s energy future. “We appreciate Secretary Wright’s leadership and the opportunity provided by the Department of Energy to further America’s energy dominance!” said. “Our state has a long and proud history of energy innovation, and we are ready to lead the next era of nuclear energy.”
Idaho Governor Brad Little noted that, for more than 70 years, Idaho has been at the forefront of nuclear innovation. “We are grateful to President Trump, Secretary Wright, and the US Department of Energy for recognising our unmatched expertise and legacy. We look forward to working with DOE to continue advancing every stage of the nuclear lifecycle, strengthening our nation’s energy security, creating good-paying jobs, and ensuring Idaho remains the home of America’s nuclear renaissance,” he said.
DOE said the proposed innovation campuses have the potential to attract up to $50bn in capital investment, generate as much as $10bn in state and local tax revenue, and create nearly 25,000 jobs. States that choose to pursue hosting an innovation campus will sign hosting agreements with the Department at a later date.
