U.S. States Selected as Finalists for Nuclear Waste and Innovation Campus Program

The U.S. Department of Energy announced five finalist states—Idaho, Utah, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Tennessee—to host “nuclear lifecycle innovation campuses.” The campuses would pair permanent spent‑fuel storage with facilities for uranium enrichment, fuel reprocessing, advanced reactor deployment, power generation and even nuclear‑powered data centers. DOE estimates the sites could draw up to $50 billion in private investment, generate roughly 25,000 high‑paying jobs and produce $10 billion in state and local tax revenue, with federal loans available for eligible projects.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright described the initiative as a catalyst for “America’s nuclear renaissance.” The plan marks a shift from the stalled Yucca Mountain repository, emphasizing voluntary state participation and community consent. The selected states, home to key nuclear research sites such as the Idaho National Laboratory and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, are seeking to leverage the campuses to revive domestic nuclear fuel‑cycle capabilities and stimulate regional economies.