WASHINGTON, D.C. — As part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today selected four companies to provide enrichment services to help establish a U.S. supply of high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU). Strengthening America’s domestic HALEU supply chain is essential to supporting the demonstration and deployment of advanced reactor technologies, creating new good-paying, high-quality jobs, and reinforcing America’s leadership in the nuclear industry. Today’s announcement—funded by the Inflation Reduction Act—is another critical step by President Biden and Vice President Harris to bolster America’s energy and national security, achieve a net-zero emissions economy by 2050, and build a strong, reliable domestic nuclear fuel supply chain free of influence from adversarial foreign nations.
“President Biden and Vice President Harris continue to advance nuclear energy—ensuring the nation’s largest source of carbon-free electricity is positioned to slash harmful, planet-warming emissions and power our economy for generations to come,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “Today’s announcement represents the Biden-Harris Administration’s latest efforts to build a secure domestic HALEU supply chain, which is essential to bringing advanced nuclear reactors online and meeting the growing demand for clean, reliable electricity.”
“President Biden and Vice President Harris made a big bet on America’s energy potential, and this Administration’s investments to jumpstart our nuclear future are paying off in a big way,” said White House National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi. “All across the country, we are seeing a muscular resurgence in American energy innovation – from bringing back previously shuttered nuclear plants to bringing online new technologies and new reactors to building out the critical fuel supply chain. America’s nuclear industry is racing ahead because strong Biden-Harris policies are spurring billions in private sector investment into this critical technology, which will lower energy costs and create good-paying union jobs.”
HALEU is uranium enriched between 5 and 20 percent, which increases the amount of fissile material to make the fuel more efficient relative to lower-enriched forms of uranium. Many advanced reactors will use HALEU to achieve smaller designs, longer operating cycles, and increased efficiencies over current technologies. Under these contracts, selected companies will bid on future work to produce and store HALEU in the form of uranium hexafluoride gas to eventually be made into fuel for advanced reactors.
Advanced nuclear reactors are key to our nation’s clean energy future and meeting our nation’s ambitious clean energy and climate goals. The United States currently lacks commercial HALEU enrichment capabilities to support the deployment of advanced reactors. These contracts support the buildout of a robust HALEU supply chain in the United States and complement last week’s announcement of contracts to support HALEU deconversion services.
Four companies have been awarded contracts funded by the President’s Inflation Reduction Act, creating strong competition and allowing DOE to select the best fit for future work. All contracts will last for up to 10 years and each awardee receives a minimum contract of $2 million, with up to $2.7 billion available for these services, subject to the availability of appropriations.
Selected companies include:
- Louisiana Energy Services
- Orano Federal Services
- General Matter
- American Centrifuge Operating
Today’s announcement also advances the Biden-Harris Administration’s Justice40 Initiative, which sets a goal that 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal climate, clean energy, and other investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.
The HALEU that DOE acquires through these contracts will be used to support reactors like those under development through DOE’s Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program—TerraPower’s Natrium reactor and X-energy’s Xe-100.
More information on the HALEU Availability Program can be found at HALEU Availability Program | Department of Energy.
Tagged with DOE, HALEU, nuclear power