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Oak Ridge Today
By the People, for the People
NRC Approves TRISO-X Fuel Facility License
The new license allows the company to use high-assay low-enriched uranium at its Oak Ridge, Tennessee plant.
Published on Feb. 17, 2026
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The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has issued TRISO-X, a nuclear fuel company, a special nuclear material license that allows the company to use high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) at its fuel fabrication facility in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The initial 40-year license grants TRISO-X the ability to produce advanced nuclear fuel at the site.
Why it matters
The approval of TRISO-X's license is a significant step forward for the development of advanced nuclear technologies in the United States. HALEU fuel is a key component for next-generation nuclear reactors that can provide carbon-free electricity more efficiently than traditional light-water reactors.
The details
The NRC's decision to grant TRISO-X the special nuclear material license will enable the company to begin producing HALEU fuel at its Oak Ridge facility. HALEU contains higher concentrations of the uranium-235 isotope compared to traditional low-enriched uranium, allowing for more efficient nuclear reactions and less waste production.
- The NRC issued the 40-year license to TRISO-X on February 16, 2026.
The players
TRISO-X
A nuclear fuel company that specializes in the production of advanced nuclear fuels, including HALEU.
Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)
The independent agency of the United States government responsible for regulating the civilian use of nuclear materials.
What’s next
With the license in hand, TRISO-X can now begin construction and operation of its HALEU fuel fabrication facility in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, which is expected to play a key role in supporting the deployment of next-generation nuclear reactors in the United States.
The takeaway
The NRC's approval of TRISO-X's license marks an important milestone in the development of advanced nuclear technologies in the U.S., as the availability of HALEU fuel is crucial for the commercialization of new, more efficient nuclear reactor designs that can help decarbonize the nation's electricity grid.
