- DOE’s HALEU Initiative: The Department of Energy (DOE) is engaging the public for feedback on two preliminary proposals aimed at acquiring high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU), essential for advanced nuclear reactors.
- Focus on Reactor Development: This procurement is crucial for companies like TerraPower and X-Energy, involved in DOE’s ARDP, requiring HALEU for their reactor technologies.
- Strategic Benefits: The program aims to reduce U.S. dependency on foreign uranium sources, notably Russia, while advancing climate and energy security goals and creating domestic jobs.
The U.S. Department of Energy is advancing its efforts to secure a critical element for the future of nuclear energy – high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU). By soliciting public input on two draft requests for proposals, the DOE is laying the groundwork for a robust, domestically sourced supply of HALEU. This move is vital for the development and deployment of next-generation nuclear reactors across the country.
The first proposal focuses on the production of HALEU, while the second addresses converting uranium hexafluoride gas into metal or oxide forms, necessary for fuel fabrication. This is especially pertinent for reactor developers like TerraPower and X-Energy, funded under the DOE’s Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program, who are awaiting HALEU for their upcoming fuel fabrication plans.
Dr. Kathryn Huff, Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy, emphasized the strategic importance of this initiative. By establishing a domestic HALEU supply, the U.S. aims to lessen its reliance on Russian uranium, bolster American job creation, and reinforce its commitments to climate and energy security.
The DOE estimates a demand for over 40 metric tons of HALEU by the end of the decade to support a new fleet of advanced reactors. This initiative is not only aligned with the Biden-Harris Administration’s clean electricity goals but also responds to legislative directives, including provisions in the Energy Act of 2020 and the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which allocated $700 million to the HALEU Availability
