The United States Department of Energy (DOE) has selected eight companies to receive more than $94m in federal funding to expedite the deployment of advanced light-water small modular reactors (SMRs) nationwide.
The initiative focuses on resolving long-standing barriers in nuclear licensing, manufacturing capacity, fuel production, and site readiness.
The funding, issued through the DOE’s Generation III+ SMR Pathway to Deployment Program, is designed to strengthen America’s domestic nuclear supply chain and support the commercial rollout of next-generation reactors during the 2030s.
The awards also align with the Trump administration’s push to expand US energy production and revive the nuclear sector through a series of executive orders focused on energy security and industrial growth.
The selected projects cover two major areas: early site permitting for future reactors and manufacturing upgrades needed to support the production of nuclear components and fuel.
DOE officials say the investments are intended to create the industrial foundation necessary for large-scale deployment of light-water SMRs over the next decade.
Speaking on the investment, US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, said: “Advanced light-water SMRs will give our nation the reliable, round-the-clock power we need to fuel the President’s manufacturing boom, support data centres and AI growth, and reinforce a stronger, more secure electric grid. These awards ensure we can deploy these reactors as soon as possible.”
Site preparation projects advance future reactor development
Two utility-backed projects secured the largest portions of the funding package to support early site approval activities with the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Constellation SMR Development received $17.3m to pursue an Early Site Permit for a future light-water SMR project in New York. Meanwhile, the Nebraska Public Power District was awarded nearly $27.9m to complete similar permitting work for a proposed site in Nebraska.
Early Site Permits are considered a critical step in nuclear development because they allow companies to evaluate environmental, geological, and safety conditions before reactor construction begins.
Industry analysts view the permitting process as one of the most significant bottlenecks slowing new nuclear deployment in the United States.
Manufacturing investments target nuclear supply chain gaps
A large share of the DOE funding will support upgrades to US manufacturing infrastructure tied directly to light-water SMRs.
BWXT Nuclear Energy secured more than $21.4m to expand capabilities at its Mount Vernon, Indiana facility. The project will help the company manufacture reactor pressure vessels and other large nuclear-grade components required for future reactors.
Scot Forge Company received $12.3m to install heavy industrial machining equipment at its Illinois facility, while American Forgemasters Company obtained $2.9m for a new furnace that will support domestic production of large nuclear forgings for Gen III+ SMRs.
DOE also awarded smaller grants to companies focused on material certification and component production. Container Technologies Industries received funding to expand nuclear quality assurance certifications at its Tennessee facility, enabling the production of steel suitable for advanced reactor projects.
Fuel production capacity expands for light-water SMRs
Several awards are intended to strengthen the US nuclear fuel supply chain, which remains heavily reliant on ageing infrastructure and foreign sources.
Framatome U.S. Government Solutions received $8.8m to expand fuel fabrication operations in Richland, Washington. The company plans to add new ceramic pellet production lines capable of increasing annual uranium fuel capacity by approximately 200 metric tons.
Global Nuclear Fuel Americas secured $3m to establish a second fuel rod production line for boiling water reactors at its North Carolina facility. The project also includes automated pellet inspection and upgraded storage systems intended to improve manufacturing efficiency.
The DOE said expanding domestic fuel production is essential if the United States hopes to scale deployment of light-water SMRs during the next decade.
Federal push signals long-term nuclear expansion
The latest awards follow a broader DOE strategy announced earlier this year to accelerate deployment of Gen III+ reactors.
Federal officials argue that light-water SMRs represent the fastest commercially viable pathway to adding new nuclear generation capacity because the technology builds on decades of operational experience from existing reactors while allowing for smaller, modular construction.
With electricity demand expected to rise sharply from artificial intelligence infrastructure, manufacturing growth, and electrification, the administration is positioning light-water SMRs as a central component of future US baseload power generation.