Officials from more than two dozen U.S. states have expressed interest in hosting new nuclear energy facilities that would include storage for nuclear waste, reflecting a significant shift in local attitudes toward nuclear power and its byproducts. The Department of Energy (DOE) recently selected five states—Idaho, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Utah—as frontrunners for developing what it calls “innovation campuses” designed to support various stages of the nuclear fuel life cycle.
The initiative follows an executive order issued last year by then-President Donald Trump aimed at revitalizing the nation’s nuclear energy sector. These campuses are intended to encompass activities ranging from uranium enrichment and fuel fabrication to reprocessing of spent fuel and final waste disposal. Unlike previous efforts to establish a permanent waste repository—most notably the controversial Yucca Mountain project in Nevada, which was halted in 2009—the new facilities are envisioned as comprehensive hubs that would bolster the domestic nuclear fuel supply chain rather than function solely as storage sites.
Historically, the United States led global production of enriched uranium, but the industry declined as reliance on imported fuel increased. Rebuilding domestic enrichment capabilities is now viewed as essential, especially following the 2024 congressional ban on uranium imports from Russia, a major supplier. This development also dovetails with a growing market for advanced nuclear reactors, including small modular reactors, which require specialized fuel. Such technologies have attracted substantial investment from the private sector, including support from technology leaders.
State governments see the potential economic and technological benefits of hosting these campuses as a driver for regional development and a boost to the nuclear industry’s future. One key goal is advancing the commercial viability of reprocessing spent nuclear fuel—a practice long employed by countries like France—which could help reduce waste and extend fuel usability. However, reprocessing remains controversial because of its high energy demands and the generation of additional radioactive waste requiring disposal.
Emerging nuclear start-ups such as Curio and Oklo are actively pursuing breakthroughs in this area, seeking to overcome previous commercial hurdles. While success is not guaranteed, proponents argue that market dynamics rather than ideological opposition should guide the industry’s expansion. With clean energy demands increasing nationwide, the competition among multiple states to become central to the country’s nuclear resurgence highlights a broader acceptance of nuclear power’s potential role in future energy portfolios.