The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today (Dec 8) announced $11 million in awards to five U.S. companies to develop and license new or modified transportation packages for high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU). The announcement was made during U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright's visit to Idaho National Laboratory (INL), marking the final stop in his ongoing tour of all 17 DOE National Laboratories.

These selections advance President Trump's recent executive orders

and commitment to rebuild the Nation's nuclear fuel cycle, strengthen domestic enrichment and fabrication capabilities, and accelerate the deployment of advanced reactors to usher in a new American nuclear renaissance.

"From critical minerals to nuclear fuel, the Trump administration is fully committed to restoring the supply chains needed to secure America's future," said Secretary Wright. "Thanks to President Trump, the Energy Department is operating at record speeds to unleash the next American Nuclear Renaissance and to deliver more affordable, reliable, and secure energy for American families and businesses."

DOE's $11 million in awards will support industry-led efforts to design, modify, and license transportation packages through the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). These investments will help establish long-term, economical HALEU transport capabilities that better serve domestic reactor developers and strengthen the U.S. nuclear supply chain.

The following companies were selected to develop long-term economic solutions for the safe transport of HALEU through two topic areas:

Topic Area 1: Develop new package designs that can be licensed by the NRC

• NAC International
• Westinghouse Electric Company
• Container Technologies Industries, LLC
• American Centrifuge Operating
• Paragon D&E

Topic Area 2: Modify existing design packages for NRC certification

• NAC International

Projects under Topic Area 1 will have performance periods of up to three years; the Topic Area 2 project will have a performance period of up to two years.

Funding is provided through DOE's HALEU Availability Program, established under the Energy Act to support civilian research, development, demonstration, and commercial use of HALEU.

More information on the HALEU Availability Program is available here.