DOE Selects Five States as Potential Hosts for Nuclear Innovation Campuses

The U.S. Department of Energy has selected five states as potential locations for proposed campuses intended to support multiple stages of the domestic nuclear fuel cycle.

Utah, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Idaho were chosen from 28 applications submitted by 26 states. Energy Secretary Chris Wright signed memorandums of understanding with each state to continue exploring possible Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campuses.

The selections are preliminary. States that decide to pursue a campus would sign separate hosting agreements with the department later.

DOE said the proposed campuses could support nuclear fuel fabrication, uranium enrichment, reprocessing of used nuclear fuel and the final disposition of nuclear waste. Depending on state priorities and regional resources, they could also include advanced reactors, electricity generation, manufacturing facilities and co-located data centers.

The department estimated that establishing the campuses could attract as much as $50 billion in capital investment, generate up to $10 billion in state and local tax revenue and create nearly 25,000 jobs. The announcement did not provide a state-by-state breakdown, specific locations, construction schedules or confirmed funding commitments.

“These campuses will be massive generators of economic growth, create thousands of high-paying jobs, and be crucial to unleashing America’s nuclear renaissance,” Wright said.

Governors of all five selected states welcomed the announcement.

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said a campus could support the state’s Operation Gigawatt initiative, which includes nuclear fuel production and advanced reactor deployment. Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee pointed to his state’s history with nuclear research and the Manhattan Project.

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt described nuclear power as a possible addition to the state’s energy industry, while Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry cited his state’s history of energy production and innovation. Idaho Gov. Brad Little highlighted more than 70 years of nuclear research and development in the state.

DOE invited states earlier this year to submit statements of interest and feedback about the proposed campus program. Applications were due April 1, 2026, and described how prospective campuses could support workforce development, infrastructure investment, economic diversification and technological research.

The five states will now work with DOE to evaluate potential sites, activities and hosting arrangements. The department did not announce when final host locations will be selected.