The U.S. Department of Energy announced $2.7 billion in task order awards on January 5, 2026, to strengthen domestic uranium enrichment services over the next ten years. The agency awarded contracts to three companies—American Centrifuge Operating, General Matter, and Orano Federal Services—to expand capacity for low-enriched uranium (LEU) and high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU), while also providing $28 million to Global Laser Enrichment for next-generation technology development.
What it means
The awards aim to transition the United States away from foreign sources of uranium and diversify the nation’s domestic fuel supply. According to the Department of Energy, new domestic production capacity will ensure an adequate fuel supply for the 94 commercial reactors currently operating in the country. The investment also builds a base to supply future deployments of advanced nuclear reactors.
The funding is distributed under a strict milestone approach. These task orders follow contracts signed last year with six companies for LEU and HALEU enrichment, which allowed those firms to bid on this future work. The awards resulted from a competitive solicitation issued in December 2025. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright said the awards demonstrate the administration’s commitment to restoring a secure domestic nuclear fuel supply chain capable of producing fuels for both current reactors and advanced designs.
Key facts
- $2.7 billion total announced by DOE to strengthen domestic enrichment services over ten years
- American Centrifuge Operating awarded $900 million to create domestic HALEU enrichment capacity
- General Matter awarded $900 million to create domestic HALEU enrichment capacity
- Orano Federal Services awarded $900 million to expand U.S. domestic LEU enrichment capacity
- Global Laser Enrichment awarded $28 million for advancing next-generation uranium enrichment technology
- Awards support fuel supply for 94 commercial reactors and future advanced nuclear reactors
- Funding distributed under a strict milestone approach following a December 2025 competitive solicitation
Source: U.S. Department of Energy news release