US picks first firm to make new nuclear fuel, cut Russia dependence

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has selected Standard Nuclear as the first company to establish a domestic nuclear fuel supply chain under its fuel line pilot program, launched in July 2025. This initiative aims to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign sources, particularly Russia, for enriched uranium and critical nuclear materials, while fostering private sector investment in advanced nuclear technologies. Standard Nuclear will develop facilities in Tennessee and Idaho to fabricate nuclear fuel, specifically targeting advanced reactors that utilize TRISO (TRi-structural ISOtropic particle) fuel. The company will bear all costs related to the facility’s construction, operation, and decommissioning, while reactor developers will source nuclear feedstock, potentially through DOE’s high-assay low-enriched uranium allocation program. TRISO fuel, composed of uranium kernels encapsulated by multiple layers of carbon and ceramic materials, offers enhanced structural resilience and safety compared to traditional nuclear fuels. Its robust design allows it to retain fission products under all reactor conditions, making it