The U.S. Department of Energy has announced an initiative to shore up the country's nuclear supply chain, by calling on states to support production across the nuclear fuel lifecycle.

According to a January 28 release, the DOE is inviting states to host so-called "Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campuses," which would help with fuel fabrication and enrichment, as well as the reprocessing of used fuel, and the disposition of waste. States with the necessary infrastructure can also host advanced reactor deployments, power generation, advanced manufacturing, and data centers.

“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 U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright.

States wishing to participate are being asked to provide statements of interest as well as "constructive feedback" on the Innovation Campuses, outlining priorities around workforce development and infrastructure investments, and the scope of activities a state would like to host. States are also being asked to detail the funding structures, incentives and federal partnerships they need to set up and sustain a successful campus.

This comes weeks after the DOE released $2.7 billion in funding to boost U.S. uranium enrichment capabilities over the next decade. The agency's goal is to eventually be able to provide a stable domestic fuel supply for the country's 94 commercial nuclear reactors, and have a stockpile to support a series of new advanced reactors in the future. Virtually all uranium used to fuel nuclear reactors in the U.S. is currently sourced from overseas.