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Used nuclear fuel storage and transportation have become critical issues for the domestic nuclear industry. Dozens of utilities operating reactor sites across the United States require reliable performance data on how used fuel behaves in dry storage casks and canisters over extended periods. This data is essential for utilities seeking to extend regulatory licenses at their facilities, where fuel storage capacity and safety verification remain ongoing concerns.

The Department of Energy faces its own timeline pressures. Under existing law, the agency is expected to assume ownership of used nuclear fuel from reactor operators and transfer it to one or more federal staging facilities for centralized management and eventual disposition. This transition requires confidence in storage and transport methods that can safely handle fuel from conventional reactors.

Advanced Reactor Fuel Storage Requirements

The challenge extends beyond conventional reactor fuel. Dozens of reactor companies are currently testing prototypes of advanced reactors and developing new fuel types designed for these systems. Regulators and industry stakeholders must eventually verify that existing storage and transport methods are suitable for these advanced fuel forms, or develop new approaches if current infrastructure proves inadequate.

The verification process for advanced fuels introduces additional complexity, as safety and security protocols may require modification to account for different physical and chemical properties compared to conventional used fuel.

Center for Used Fuel Research Mission

To address these interconnected challenges, the Department of Energy established the Center for Used Fuel Research in January 2026. The center focuses on generating the technical data and analysis needed to support regulatory decisions, extend storage licenses, and validate transportation methods for both conventional and advanced reactor fuels.

By consolidating research efforts under a dedicated center, the DOE aims to accelerate the development of evidence-based standards and practices that can guide utilities, regulators, and industry participants through the evolving landscape of fuel storage and transport requirements.

The American Nuclear Society's Fuel Cycle & Waste Management Division convened Global 2026 this week under the banner "Deploying Sustainable Nuclear Fuel Cycles." A plenary session titled "Fueling the Future of Nuclear" brought together industry representatives to discuss the trajectory of domestic enrichment capacity and its role in securing the nuclear fuel supply chain.

Panelists representing four companies—Urenco USA, Centrus Energy, General Matter, and Global Laser Enrichment—presented their respective strategies for expanding enrichment services. The discussion centered on how these organizations are positioning themselves to meet evolving fuel specifications and market demand across the front end of the fuel cycle.

The enrichment sector is responding to multiple fuel requirements, including low-enriched uranium (LEU), LEU+ variants, and high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU). Each of these fuel forms serves different reactor types and operational profiles, from conventional light-water reactors to advanced reactor designs. The panelists outlined how their companies are launching new capabilities or scaling existing operations to address these diverse needs.

Strengthening domestic enrichment infrastructure has become a priority for the nuclear industry as it seeks to reduce supply-chain vulnerabilities and support the expansion of nuclear generation capacity. The session reflected broader industry momentum toward securing reliable, domestically sourced fuel components as a foundation for sustainable nuclear deployment.

• Four enrichment service providers discussed expansion plans at the American Nuclear Society's Global 2026 conference
• Companies are launching or expanding services to supply low-enriched uranium, LEU+, and high-assay low-enriched uranium
• The focus reflects industry efforts to build resilient domestic fuel-cycle capacity

Industry context

The conference theme underscores the nuclear sector's emphasis on fuel-cycle sustainability as a prerequisite for long-term reactor deployment. Enrichment capacity—a critical chokepoint in the fuel supply chain—has drawn increased attention from policymakers and operators seeking to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers and ensure reliable access to reactor fuel.