The United States Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded contracts worth a combined $2.7 billion to three companies to strengthen domestic uranium enrichment services for low-enriched uranium (LEU) and high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) over the next 10 years.
The contracts were awarded to American Centrifuge Operating Company ($900 million), General Matter ($900 million), and Orano Federal Services ($900 million).
The three companies are expected to expand U.S. domestic LEU enrichment capacity and establish domestic HALEU enrichment capability, supporting President Donald Trump’s commitment to enhance energy security and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers.
The DOE also awarded an additional $28 million to Global Laser Enrichment to continue advancing next-generation uranium enrichment technology for the nuclear fuel cycle.
“President Trump is catalysing a resurgence in the nation’s nuclear energy sector to strengthen American security and prosperity,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy, Chris Wright.
“Today’s awards demonstrate that this Administration is committed to restoring a secure domestic nuclear fuel supply chain capable of producing the nuclear fuels needed to power today’s reactors and the advanced reactors of tomorrow,” he added.
Last year, the DOE signed contracts with six companies for LEU and HALEU enrichment, allowing them to bid for future work.
The task order awards to the three companies will help transition the United States away from foreign sources of uranium and diversify the nation’s domestic nuclear fuel supply.
Developing new domestic production capacity for LEU and HALEU will ensure an adequate fuel supply to maintain operations at the nation’s 94 commercial nuclear reactors, while also building a strong foundation to support the deployment of advanced nuclear reactors.
To ensure accountability, the awards will be distributed to the companies under a strict milestone-based approach.
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