US plans ‘sprints’ in uranium output, reactor builds

The U.S Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Energy says it wants to use the Defense Production Act of 1950, which streamlines approvals in the name of national security, to boost domestic uranium fuel production and build more reactors by 2033. 

The three-pronged program, called “Nuclear Dominance — 3 by 33,” aims to use the Act’s Nuclear Fuel Cycle Consortium of more than 90 companies across the industry to lift America’s output of nuclear fuel. It plans to start with several undisclosed “60-day sprints,” the department said Thursday, to reduce an almost total reliance on foreign suppliers. 

The 94 operating U.S. reactors require roughly 50 million to 55 million lb. of uranium oxide (U3o8) equivalent a year, compared with domestic mine output that doubled in last year’s fourth quarter but reached only 1.04 million lb. U3O8. The Trump administration has embraced nuclear energy, a rare overlap with campaigners against climate change, as the country tries to meet growing energy demand from industrial manufacturing and data centres for artificial intelligence. 

“The consortium’s work comes at a pivotal time for nuclear energy growth in our country,” Assistant Secretary of Nuclear Energy, Ted Garrish, said in a release. “I’m pleased with the dedication of the committee and am looking forward to rapid progress on near-term goals to achieve a robust American-made supply of nuclear fuel.” 

Nuclear fuel

Nuclear energy provides the U.S. with nearly a fifth of its power. Russia supplied about 20% of the enriched uranium used by U.S. commercial reactors in 2024, down from nearly 27% a year earlier, according to the Energy Information Administration.

Shipments have continued despite legislation barring Russian reactor fuel imports after the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The ban, in force since August 2024, allows the Department of Energy to grant waivers through 2028 where no alternative supply is available.

Supply chain

The consortium is to address all facets of the nuclear fuel supply chain including milling, conversion, enrichment, deconversion, fabrication, recycling, and reprocessing, according to the department. 

“The long-term success of efforts to put more power on the grid through nuclear power plant uprates, restarts and the commercial deployment of advanced reactors will all depend on the availability of nuclear fuel,” the energy department said. 

Last May, President Trump issued four executive orders to accelerate nuclear power, targeting faster permitting, expanded reactor deployment, a strengthened domestic uranium and fuel cycle supply chain, and greater use of federal authorities to support the industry.  

By late August the department had created the consortium and was seeking agreements with U.S. companies in the nuclear industry across the fuel supply chain and reactor construction.