Seeking consent: Announced earlier today, the RFI follows reports that the Trump administration has been seeking to engage states on accepting spent nuclear fuel in exchange for the promise of federally funded nuclear development projects. Politico, citing an unnamed source, reported on January 20 that the administration “intends to steer ‘billions, if not hundreds of billions’ in related nuclear infrastructure and supply-chain development from fuel production and research to reprocessing and advanced manufacturing as part of a broader push to build out a domestic nuclear fuel cycle.”
According to the RFI, the Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campuses would “anchor integrated, full‑cycle nuclear ecosystems that could collocate and support the entire nuclear value chain while exploring durable pathways for managing used nuclear materials in a safe, secure, and fiscally responsible manner.”
The proposed sites could also host advanced reactors, power generation, advanced manufacturing, and co-located data centers, the DOE said.
The DOE envisions these campuses being developed quickly, opening sometime in 2027.
RFI details: In inviting states to indicate their interest in hosting a campus, the DOE said it is seeking information on approaches that 1) prioritize private and state capital; 2) rely on targeted, conditional, and time‑limited federal support, subject to the availability of appropriations and statutory authority; and 3) include robust financial assurances to protect federal taxpayers from open‑ended liabilities.
The DOE’s deadline for the RFI is no later than April 1. Information on responding can be found at SAM.gov.
Quote: “Unleashing the next American nuclear renaissance will drive innovation, fuel economic growth, and create good-paying American jobs while delivering the affordable, reliable, and secure energy America needs to power its future,” said Energy Secretary Chris Wright. “Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campuses give us the opportunity to work directly with states on regional priorities that support President Trump’s vision to revitalize America’s nuclear base.”
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