Amazon-Backed Nuclear Company Gets US Approval for Reactor Fuel

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X-Energy Reactor Co., an advanced nuclear company backed by Amazon.com Inc., has received federal approval from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to manufacture uranium fuel for advanced nuclear reactors. This is the first such new license issued in more than 50 years, and the company is already building its first fuel fabrication plant in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, with plans to begin production in 2028.

Why it matters

The approval of X-Energy's fuel fabrication license represents a significant milestone for the advanced nuclear industry, which has struggled to gain traction in the United States compared to other parts of the world. This could pave the way for more advanced nuclear projects to move forward and help diversify the country's energy mix away from fossil fuels.

The details

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued the license on Friday, authorizing X-Energy's Triso-X unit to build two production facilities at the company's site in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. X-Energy is already in the process of constructing its first fuel fabrication plant, with plans to begin producing fuel in 2028 for use in advanced nuclear reactors.

• The NRC issued the license on Friday, February 13, 2026.
• X-Energy expects to begin fabricating fuel at its first plant in 2028.

What’s next

With the license in hand, X-Energy can now move forward with constructing its fuel fabrication facilities in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, with the goal of beginning production in 2028.