DOE Launches Initiatives to Produce Uranium Fuel

Efforts aim to rebuild domestic nuclear fuel supply chain and unlock nuclear energy critical for AI race

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced several initiatives to boost domestic production of uranium fuel, including restarting uranium recovery operations at the Savannah River Site, awarding $19 million for spent fuel recycling R&D, and partnering with General Matter to potentially use the Hanford Fuels and Materials Examination Facility for advanced nuclear fuel production. These efforts are aimed at rebuilding the U.S. nuclear fuel supply chain and unlocking nuclear energy critical for meeting growing demand for affordable, reliable baseload power needed to fuel the artificial intelligence (AI) race.

Why it matters

These DOE initiatives are significant steps towards enhancing U.S. energy security and independence by bolstering domestic nuclear fuel production capabilities. Restarting uranium recovery at Savannah River, investing in spent fuel recycling R&D, and repurposing the Hanford facility will help reduce reliance on foreign sources of nuclear materials, increase the supply of high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) needed for advanced reactors, and potentially recover valuable isotopes. This aligns with broader efforts to revitalize the U.S. nuclear industry and leverage nuclear power to support the growing energy demands of the AI sector.

The details

The DOE's Office of Environmental Management is restarting uranium recovery operations at the Savannah River Site's H Canyon facility, which can produce HALEU from highly enriched uranium stocks. This will create enough HALEU to fuel several proposed small modular reactors. The process also enables recovery of valuable isotopes in limited domestic supply. DOE's Office of Nuclear Energy awarded $19 million to five U.S. companies to research and develop recycling technologies for used nuclear fuel. This funding aims to transition from an "open cycle" where fuel is used once, to a "closed cycle" that extracts more of the fuel's energy and reduces waste. DOE is partnering with nuclear fuel company General Matter to evaluate using the Hanford Fuels and Materials Examination Facility for advanced nuclear fuel cycle technologies and materials. This could help rebuild domestic uranium enrichment capacity.

  • In April 2023, DOE-EM announced plans to downblend highly enriched uranium stored at SRS to produce HALEU.
  • In October 2024, SRS officials said the lab will downblend HEU into HALEU for advanced reactors.
  • DOE awarded the $19 million in nuclear fuel recycling R&D funding in February 2026.

The players

DOE Office of Environmental Management (DOE-EM)

The U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Environmental Management, which oversees cleanup and management of the nation's nuclear sites.

Savannah River Site (SRS)

A DOE nuclear site in South Carolina that houses the H Canyon facility for uranium recovery and processing.

DOE Office of Nuclear Energy

The U.S. Department of Energy's office responsible for supporting nuclear energy research, development, and deployment.

General Matter

A U.S. nuclear fuel company that is partnering with DOE to evaluate using the Hanford Fuels and Materials Examination Facility for advanced nuclear fuel production.

Hanford Fuels and Materials Examination Facility (FMEF)

A 190,000-square-foot DOE facility at the Hanford Site in Washington that was originally intended to support the Liquid Fast Breeder Reactor Program.

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What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

These DOE initiatives demonstrate a concerted effort to revitalize the U.S. nuclear fuel supply chain, reduce reliance on foreign sources, and leverage nuclear energy to support the growing demands of the AI industry. By investing in uranium recovery, spent fuel recycling, and advanced fuel production capabilities, the DOE is positioning the U.S. to be more energy independent and technologically competitive in the years ahead.