In January 2026, the Department of Energy (DOE) released a Request for Information (RFI) inviting states to express their interest in hosting Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campuses. The proposed innovation campuses could support activities across the full nuclear fuel lifecycle, including fuel fabrication and enrichment, reprocessing used nuclear fuel, and disposition of waste. After receiving 28 responses from 26 states, the DOE announced in July 2026 that they have selected five finalists interested in hosting a Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus: Utah, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Idaho. West Virginia later became the sixth finalist state in the initiative. All six states have signed memorandums of understanding (MOU) with the DOE and are continuing to explore opportunities to host the proposed campuses.
States that are selected to host an innovation campus will sign agreements with the DOE at a later date.
Idaho signed an MOU with the DOE in July 2026 and is continuing to explore opportunities to become a host site. Idaho's approach is built on its long history with Idaho National Laboratory, a decades-long partnership with the DOE, substantial federal land holdings, and existing capabilities across the nuclear fuel cycle.
Louisiana signed an MOU with the DOE in July 2026 and is continuing to explore opportunities to become a host site. Louisiana’s approach is centered on its existing energy, workforce, research, and manufacturing assets.
Oklahoma signed an MOU with the DOE in July 2026 and is continuing to explore opportunities to become a host site. Oklahoma's approach emphasizes the opportunity to build a nuclear energy program without legacy infrastructure while leveraging its longstanding leadership in energy production.
Tennessee signed an MOU with the DOE in July 2026 and is continuing to explore opportunities to become a host site. The state frames its participation around capabilities spanning nearly the entire nuclear fuel lifecycle, including existing nuclear infrastructure, federal facilities, private investment, and research capabilities.
Utah signed an MOU with the DOE in July 2026 and is continuing to explore opportunities to become a host site. The state emphasizes its energy sector, research universities, skilled workforce, and infrastructure as the foundation for its participation.
West Virginia joined the DOE's Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campuses initiative and signed an MOU in August 2026. State leaders pointed to the state's energy heritage, natural resources, skilled workforce, and industrial capabilities as the foundation for its participation.
