WASHINGTON, D.C. — As a part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded contracts to six companies to help build a domestic supply chain for fuels used in advanced nuclear reactors. Many of these reactors will depend on high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) to achieve more compact designs, longer operating cycles, and improved efficiencies compared to current technologies. These contracts will enable the selected companies to bid for work related to deconversion services, an essential element of the HALEU supply chain. Strengthening the domestic HALEU supply chain will help reinforce the U.S.’s leadership in the nuclear energy sector, providing affordable and reliable carbon-free energy to more homes and businesses.

“Establishing a robust and dependable domestic nuclear fuel supply chain is essential for the nation to meet the President and Vice President’s ambitious climate objectives, while also protecting the environment and creating well-paying, high-quality jobs,” said U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy David M. Turk. “This announcement highlights the Biden-Harris Administration’s unwavering commitment to enhancing our energy and national security by eliminating America’s dependence on Russian uranium for civilian nuclear power.”

“Nuclear energy is key to accelerating America’s clean energy future,” stated Ali Zaidi, Assistant to the President and National Climate Advisor. “Strengthening our domestic uranium supply will not only advance President Biden’s historic climate agenda but also enhance America’s energy security, create well-paying union jobs, and boost our global economic competitiveness. The road to enhanced energy security and greater climate solutions is paved with investments like these, being made at an unprecedented scale by President Biden. This is a win for our economy, for America’s union workforce, and for our planet.”

HALEU deconversion plays a vital role in the fuel supply chain for advanced nuclear reactors. HALEU refers to uranium enriched between 5 and 20 percent, increasing the amount of fissile material to make the fuel more efficient. After enrichment—performed in gaseous uranium hexafluoride form—the material must be deconverted to either oxide or metal forms, which are then fabricated into fuel for advanced reactors.

Nuclear power is the largest source of carbon-free energy in the U.S., providing reliable, firm, and safe electricity. Advanced nuclear technologies using HALEU fuels represent a crucial suite of innovations that will help the U.S. achieve its emissions targets and support America’s recent commitment, along with 24 other countries, to triple global nuclear power by 2050. Currently, the U.S. lacks commercial HALEU enrichment and deconversion services to support the deployment of advanced reactors, which are vital for meeting President Biden and Vice President Harris’s climate and greenhouse gas reduction goals. The DOE also intends to award contracts for enrichment services, which are critical for the complete HALEU supply chain.

Six companies have been awarded contracts, fostering strong competition and enabling the DOE to choose the best candidates for future work. Each contract can last up to 10 years, with a minimum value of $2 million per awardee, and up to $800 million available for these services, contingent on appropriations.

The selected companies include:

• BWXT
• Centrus
• Framatome
• GE Vernova
• Orano
• Westinghouse

The HALEU that the DOE acquires through these contracts will support reactors being developed as part of the DOE’s Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program, such as TerraPower’s Natrium reactor and X-energy’s Xe-100.

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