Nuclear Leaders Launch Campaign to Promote Smart Fuel Management

Nationwide initiative aims to drive expansion of nuclear energy capacity through responsible spent fuel disposal

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The Nuclear Scaling Initiative (NSI) has launched a new campaign called "Scale What Works" focused on rapidly expanding American nuclear energy capacity through effective fuel management. The campaign highlights direct disposal of spent fuel as the safest, most secure, and least expensive pathway for the country, and will advance a U.S. roadmap for responsible, affordable spent fuel management with direct disposal.

Why it matters

The campaign aims to address the critical issue of nuclear fuel management, which is a key component of scaling next-generation reactors and securing long-term U.S. energy leadership. It seeks to provide data-backed information on the consequences of pursuing efforts to reprocess or "recycle" spent fuel, which can threaten security, be cost-ineffective, and slow the ability to scale nuclear energy.

The details

The Scale What Works campaign brings together nuclear energy leaders and experts, including former Deputy Secretary of Defense and Under Secretary of Energy John Deutch, former U.S. Ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency Laura Holgate, and former U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp. They argue that directly storing and eventually disposing of intact spent fuel is a safe, straightforward process that uses existing expertise and infrastructure, in contrast to the risks and costs associated with reprocessing spent fuel.

  • The Nuclear Scaling Initiative launched the Scale What Works campaign on February 11, 2026.

The players

Nuclear Scaling Initiative (NSI)

A collaborative effort of Clean Air Task Force, the EFI Foundation, and the Nuclear Threat Initiative to build a new nuclear energy ecosystem that can quickly and economically scale to 50+ gigawatts of safe and secure nuclear energy globally per year by the 2030s.

John Deutch

Former Deputy Secretary of Defense and Under Secretary of Energy who has joined the NSI's Scale What Works campaign.

Laura Holgate

Former U.S. Ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency who has joined the NSI's Scale What Works campaign.

Heidi Heitkamp

Former U.S. Senator who has joined the NSI's Scale What Works campaign.

Steve Comello

Executive Director of the Nuclear Scaling Initiative.

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What they’re saying

“We have joined together to make sure America's nuclear fuel cycle supports progress toward resilient, secure, and affordable nuclear energy.”

— Steve Comello, Executive Director, Nuclear Scaling Initiative (PRNewswire)

“The United States has a responsibility and opportunity to lead the world in deploying safe and economical nuclear energy. Getting it done requires making disciplined, strategic choices to invest in the uranium fuel cycle and focus on direct waste disposal. Reprocessing is not a reasonable option: it threatens security, is not cost effective and will slow our ability to scale nuclear energy.”

— John Deutch, Former Deputy Secretary of Defense and Under Secretary of Energy (PRNewswire)

“Scale What Works means cutting distractions and doubling down on proven technologies. For America to rebuild its reputation as a global nuclear energy pioneer, we need to move fast and stay focused on direct disposal. Getting fuel cycle management right will be the difference between leading the world and falling behind.”

— Laura Holgate, Former U.S. Ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency (PRNewswire)

“Let's be clear: we will only realize the incredible promise of nuclear energy if we make the right choices. Spent fuel management is a matter where it makes more sense to take the proven path than revisit high-risk technologies like reprocessing that have a history of stalling progress.”

— Heidi Heitkamp, Former U.S. Senator (PRNewswire)

What’s next

The NSI will advance a U.S. roadmap for responsible, affordable spent fuel management with direct disposal as part of the Scale What Works campaign.

The takeaway

This initiative highlights the importance of making strategic, data-driven decisions around nuclear fuel management in order to unlock the full potential of nuclear energy and secure America's energy and national security future.