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Five States Agree to Host Nuclear Waste for Federal Support in Energy Development

Five States Agree to Host Nuclear Waste for Federal Support in Energy Development

Five U.S. states—Tennessee, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Utah, and Idaho—have agreed to accept nuclear waste from across the country in exchange for federal assistance in developing nuclear energy. This initiative aims to create thousands of jobs and reflects a shift in some regions' willingness to host nuclear waste facilities. The decision is part of a broader effort to store over 95,000 metric tons of spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste, which is currently accumulating at nuclear plants nationwide. The proposed Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campuses will include waste sites, uranium enrichment, and advanced reactor deployment, potentially attracting up to $50 billion in private investment.

Trump's Plan Sees Five States Offering to Host Nuclear Waste for Energy Development

Trump's Plan Sees Five States Offering to Host Nuclear Waste for Energy Development

Under President Trump's plan, Tennessee, Utah, Louisiana, Idaho, and Oklahoma have agreed to host nuclear waste in exchange for federal support to develop the nuclear energy sector. This marks a significant step in addressing the challenge of storing nearly 100,000 metric tons of spent nuclear fuel. The states will host Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campuses, which will include waste sites and facilities for uranium enrichment and advanced reactor deployment. The initiative is expected to attract substantial private investment and generate significant tax revenues.

Trump Administration Eyes $50 Billion Nuclear Investment to Address Power Grid Strain

Trump Administration Eyes $50 Billion Nuclear Investment to Address Power Grid Strain

The Trump Administration is considering five states—Utah, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Idaho, and Louisiana—as potential sites for 'innovation campuses' focused on nuclear energy. This initiative, part of a $50 billion investment, aims to address the increasing energy demands from data centers and boost the nation's nuclear energy capacity. The Department of Energy plans to nearly quadruple America's nuclear energy output by 2050. The proposed campuses would study the full nuclear fuel cycle and could generate 25,000 jobs. This move comes as data centers, which are energy-intensive, contribute to rising electricity costs for homeowners. President Trump has urged data center developers to provide their own power to mitigate these costs.

Oklahoma Nuclear Study Explores Feasibility of Commercial Nuclear Power

Oklahoma Nuclear Study Explores Feasibility of Commercial Nuclear Power

The Oklahoma Corporation Commission has released a study examining the feasibility of commercial nuclear power in the state. This study was initiated by a Senate Bill passed in 2025 and signed into law by the Governor. Oklahoma is one of five finalists for a U.S. Department of Energy initiative that could bring a Nuclear Lifestyle Innovation Campus to the state. The study explores nuclear safety, workforce development, and environmental considerations, highlighting the potential for Oklahoma's existing energy workforce to transition into nuclear careers with additional training.

Oklahoma Nuclear Study Highlights Safety and Workforce Needs Amid Innovation Campus Bid

Oklahoma Nuclear Study Highlights Safety and Workforce Needs Amid Innovation Campus Bid

Oklahoma Nuclear Study Highlights Safety and Workforce Needs Amid Innovation Campus Bid

Rep. Dina Titus Celebrates Nevada's Exclusion from Nuclear Waste Storage Plans

Rep. Dina Titus Celebrates Nevada's Exclusion from Nuclear Waste Storage Plans

Rep. Dina Titus, D-Nev., has expressed relief over the Department of Energy's decision to exclude Nevada from being a nuclear waste storage site. This decision marks a significant shift from the long-standing proposal to use Yucca Mountain for nuclear waste storage, a plan that has faced opposition from Nevada officials for decades. The Department of Energy has instead identified five other states—Utah, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Idaho—as potential sites for nuclear waste facilities. This move aligns with the Nuclear Waste Informed Consent Act, introduced by Titus, which requires written consent from state and local governments before proceeding with nuclear repository facilities. The announcement has been welcomed by Nevada's political leaders, who have long opposed the Yucca Mountain project.

NextEra, Brookfield plan $100 billion data center at US uranium site in Kentucky

NextEra, Brookfield plan $100 billion data center at US uranium site in Kentucky

By Vallari Srivastava and Laila Kearney July 29 (Reuters) - NextEra Energy and Brookfield plan to develop a $100 billion data center campus and power plant at a federally owned former uranium enrichment site in Kentucky, the companies said on Wednesday.

Kansas Town Divided Over Underground Nuclear Reactor Project

Kansas Town Divided Over Underground Nuclear Reactor Project

A pilot project to install an underground nuclear reactor in Parsons, Kansas, has sparked division among local residents. The project, led by California-based startup Deep Fission, aims to bury a nuclear reactor one mile underground to generate electricity. While some residents see the project as an economic opportunity, others express concerns about environmental impacts and safety. The reactor, part of a Department of Energy pilot program, is designed to test small, advanced reactors for commercial use, with the potential to significantly increase nuclear power generation in the U.S.

5 states offer to accept nuclear waste in exchange for help developing nuclear energy

5 states offer to accept nuclear waste in exchange for help developing nuclear energy

Five states have agreed to accept nuclear waste from around the country in exchange for federal help to develop nuclear energy and create thousands of jobs

Nashville Tennessean

Tennessee lands on DOE nuclear campus short list. What comes next

Tennessee lands on DOE nuclear campus short list. What comes next

Tennessee could land a federal nuclear innovation campus as the U.S. expands nuclear energy to meet growing AI and data center demand.

U.S. Department of Energy Selects Five States for Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campuses

U.S. Department of Energy Selects Five States for Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campuses

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced the selection of Utah, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Idaho as potential hosts for Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campuses. This initiative aims to modernize the nation's nuclear fuel cycle, attracting significant investment and creating thousands of high-paying jobs. The DOE has signed Memorandums of Understanding with these states to explore opportunities for hosting these campuses, which are expected to support activities across the full nuclear fuel lifecycle, including fuel fabrication, enrichment, and reprocessing. The campuses may also host advanced reactor deployment and power generation, contributing to President Trump's vision for American energy dominance.

Trump Administration Proposes Changes to US Radiation Safety Standards

Trump Administration Proposes Changes to US Radiation Safety Standards

The Trump administration, through the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), is proposing to replace the long-standing 'As Low As Reasonably Achievable' (ALARA) radiation safety principle with a 'graded approach.' This change aims to reduce regulatory ambiguity and is part of a broader effort to expand nuclear power in the U.S. The proposal, published in the Federal Register, suggests that the new approach would maintain existing exposure limits for workers and the public while allowing for more flexibility in managing radiation exposure. Critics, however, argue that this could lead to higher permissible radiation doses, potentially increasing health risks.