Contracts Leverage DOE’s Buying Power to Establish a Secure Source of Low Enriched Uranium for U.S. Nuclear Power Plants
As part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today selected 6 companies from which it can sign contracts to procure low enriched uranium (LEU) in order to incentivize the build-out of new uranium production capacity in the United States. Today’s announcement reinforces the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to ensuring consumers across the country have access to affordable, reliable electricity and good-paying clean energy jobs, while building resilient supply chains free from Russian influence.
“These contracts generated from this action will help spur the safe and responsible build-out of uranium enrichment capacity in the United States,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy Dr. Michael Goff. “We must increase our capacity to produce enriched uranium domestically to support the energy security and resilience of the Nation.”
DOE selected these 6 companies that will be able to compete for future work to supply LEU, fostering strong commercial sector investment:
- American Centrifuge Operating, LLC
- General Matter, Inc.
- Global Laser Enrichment, LLC
- Louisiana Energy Services, LLC
- Laser Isotope Separation Technologies, Inc.
- Orano Federal Services, LLC
Developing new domestic production capacity for LEU ensures an adequate fuel supply is available from trusted sources to maintain the current fleet of U.S. reactors and builds a strong base to supply future deployments of advanced nuclear reactors both at home and abroad. Through these contracts, DOE will acquire LEU generated by new domestic sources—either at entirely new facilities or from projects that expand existing capacity. All contracts will last for up to 10 years and each awardee receives a minimum contract of $2 million.
More information on DOE’s efforts to develop nuclear fuel supply chains for existing and future reactors can be found at Domestic Low Enriched Uranium Supply Chain | Department of Energy.
Media Contact Information
Phone: 202-586-4940
Email: doenews@hq.doe.gov
Source: U.S. Department of Energy
