DOE RELEASES REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ON ESTABLISHMENT OF NUCLEAR LIFECYCLE CAMPUSES
In a new Request for Information (RFI) released today, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is seeking input from states interested in hosting potential Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campuses to anchor integrated, full-cycle nuclear ecosystems that could co-locate and support the whole the entire nuclear value chain while exploring durable pathways for managing used nuclear materials in a safe, secure and fiscally responsible manner. DOE is exploring this concept as a private-sector led initiative where campuses must support functions such as fuel fabrication, enrichment, reprocessing used nuclear fuel and disposition of waste, and could additionally support functions such as advanced reactor deployment, power generation, advanced manufacturing, and co-located data centers.
States are invited to indicate their interest and provide constructive feedback on the structure of the Innovation Campuses by submitting a clear articulation of their strategic priorities-- such as workforce development, infrastructure investment, economic diversification, or technology leadership-- along with their proposed appropriate scope of the Innovation Campuses and the specific funding structures, risk‑sharing approaches, and other support, incentives, or federal partnerships they would require to successfully host and sustain an Innovation Campus.
DOE 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. DOE envisions significant workforce development, environmental safeguards, and proliferation‑resistant operations.
Responses to the RFI are requested no later than April 1, 2026. States are strongly encouraged to respond as soon as possible, as submissions will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
ADDRESSES: Responses should be submitted electronically to nlic-rfi@nuclear.energy.gov and include ‘‘Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus RFI Response’’ in the subject line of the email.