The U.S. is reigniting its nuclear ambitions—and it just took a big leap forward. The Department of Energy (DOE) recently conditionally selected Oak Ridge, Tennessee-based Standard Nuclear as the first company to join its newly launched nuclear fuel line pilot program, part of the Trump administration’s broader strategy to rebuild America’s nuclear energy leadership.
This initiative, announced in July 2025, directly supports President Trump’s Executive Order on Deploying Advanced Nuclear Reactors for National Security. It aims to end the country’s reliance on foreign enriched uranium and critical nuclear materials by building a secure, domestic fuel supply chain—one built on innovation, speed, and private sector partnership.
U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright said,
“With President Trump’s leadership, the Energy Department is moving at a rapid pace to unleash innovation and maintain American leadership in nuclear energy development,”. “Advanced nuclear reactors will be a game-changer for the United States, and with that comes the need to fabricate the fuel for these reactors. The Department of Energy is partnering with private sector innovation with DOE expertise to assure stronger U.S. nuclear supply lines.”
Powering the Future: Advanced Reactors Need Advanced Fuel
Advanced nuclear reactors are central to America’s clean energy and national security goals. But to power them, the country needs more than just designs; it needs the right fuel.
That’s where Standard Nuclear steps in. It’s now the first company conditionally approved under DOE’s fuel pilot program, giving it access to fast-track processes and support. The company will focus on producing TRISO (TRi-structural ISOtropic) fuel, a next-generation nuclear fuel known for its unmatched safety, durability, and performance.
Standard Nuclear will lead the construction, operation, and eventual decommissioning of the fuel fabrication facility. Meanwhile, reactor developers will source nuclear material feedstock potentially through the DOE’s high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) program, for conversion into TRISO fuel.
TRISO Fuel: The Toughest Fuel on Earth
TRISO fuel is engineered for extreme performance. Each tiny fuel kernel—about the width of a human hair—is coated in multiple layers of ceramic and carbon. These layers act like a built-in containment system, ensuring that even under high temperatures (up to 1,600°C), the fuel doesn’t melt or release harmful materials.
TRISO Particles
Key highlights of TRISO fuel:
- Microscale safety: Each particle is a self-contained barrier, lowering the risk of large-scale radioactive release.
- High performance: TRISO can operate at much higher temperatures than traditional fuels, increasing thermal efficiency.
- Unmatched resilience: The fuel resists mechanical failure, corrosion, oxidation, and neutron damage.
This design makes TRISO a perfect fit for advanced reactors, especially those planned outside traditional nuclear sites—including defense, microreactors, and space power systems. Also, compared to traditional nuclear fuel rods, TRISO’s structure is safer, more resilient, and ideal for new reactor types under development in the U.S.
Dr. Kurt Terrani, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Standard Nuclear, said,
“Most of the long-anticipated wave of advanced reactors finally arriving to the market are harnessing the unique, inherent advantages of TRISO fuel—benefits that have been validated through decades of DOE and NRC investment and scientific rigor. These reactors can’t run without fuel, and we’re here to ensure there are no uncertainties in that supply. We’re not just delivering TRISO fuel at scale—we’re doing it at a cost that enables a robust, competitive, and sustainable advanced reactor industry.”
Standard Nuclear’s Reactor-Agnostic Advantage
What makes Standard Nuclear stand out is its reactor-agnostic model. Unlike traditional nuclear companies, it doesn’t develop its own reactors. Instead, it focuses exclusively on nuclear fuel, allowing it to serve a wide range of reactor designs.
Founded in 2024 at the historic K-25 Nuclear Site in Oak Ridge, the company operates a fully permitted, 19,000-square-foot radiological facility on a 36.8-acre campus. Its team brings over 150 years of combined experience from the U.S. Department of Energy National Labs.
The company booked more than $5 million in contracts in early 2025 and is projecting over $100 million in non-binding fuel sales for 2027. Clients include private firms like Radiant Industries, Antares, Nano Nuclear Energy, and Jimmy Energy, as well as U.S. government agencies such as the DOE and the Department of Defense.
Teaming Up with SHINE Technologies for Nuclear Fuel Recycling
Standard Nuclear recently announced a strategic partnership with SHINE Technologies to support nuclear fuel recycling and close the fuel supply loop. SHINE will supply recycled uranium and plutonium from its planned used nuclear fuel recycling plants to Standard Nuclear. The materials will be used in TRISO fuel production and to create heat-generating isotopes like strontium-90 and americium-241 for compact power systems.
This partnership will enable the development of a circular nuclear economy. By recycling materials once considered waste, both companies aim to make nuclear fuel production more sustainable and secure.
From Bankruptcy to Breakthrough
Standard Nuclear emerged by acquiring the assets and fuel technology of the bankrupt Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation (USNC) for $28 million. The acquisition gave the company a head start with proven technology and permitted infrastructure.
To support its rapid expansion, Standard Nuclear raised $42 million in funding led by Decisive Point, with participation from Andreessen Horowitz and Washington Harbour Partners. The funding will be used to expand production capacity and meet growing demand from the advanced nuclear sector.
Standard Nuclear is Backing the Trump Nuclear Renaissance
Standard Nuclear’s selection is part of a broader plan under the Trump administration to reignite nuclear innovation. On May 23, 2025, President Trump issued four executive orders aimed at streamlining reactor testing and accelerating the deployment of advanced reactors for national security purposes.
Executive Order 14301 specifically directed the DOE to reform its national lab processes and launch a pilot program for testing next-gen reactor designs. The goal is to reach criticality for at least three advanced reactors outside of national labs by July 4, 2026.
This announcement coincides with other moves such as funding for the Palisades restart, development of microreactor test beds, and expanded HALEU production. Together, these initiatives represent a coordinated national effort to reclaim nuclear leadership.
The Bigger Picture: Why This Matters
Standard Nuclear’s rise signals a major milestone for America’s nuclear sector. Its work supports national energy security by reducing reliance on foreign fuel supplies and boosting domestic capabilities.
It also directly enables the rollout of advanced reactors, which promise cleaner, safer, and more resilient energy systems. These reactors, many of which are smaller and modular, require specialized fuels like TRISO that Standard Nuclear is uniquely positioned to provide.
From grid-scale power and remote installations to military bases and even future space missions, the role of advanced nuclear energy is expanding. Standard Nuclear is helping to ensure the U.S. has the fuel infrastructure to meet that demand.
