DOE Advances Used Nuclear Fuel Recycling Project to Partner Selection Phase

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has closed the application window for a private-sector partner to design, build, and operate a used nuclear fuel recycling facility at the Idaho National Laboratory. The application period ended on June 19, 2026, after a two-month solicitation. The project aims to recycle 3,400 used fuel elements from the DOE's Advanced Test Reactor into high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU). This initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance the domestic nuclear industrial base and energy independence, following executive orders from President Trump. Evaluators are now reviewing submissions, and the selected partner will manage the facility's lifecycle, including design, financing, construction, and decommissioning. The project is expected to supply HALEU for advanced reactors, which are increasingly in demand as the need for nuclear-generated electricity grows.

Key Points: • The DOE's application period for a nuclear fuel recycling partner closed on June 19, 2026. • The project will recycle 3,400 used fuel elements into high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU). • The selected partner will oversee the entire lifecycle of the recycling facility at Idaho National Laboratory.