[VT | May 15, 2026 | Washington, D.C.]
DOE funding supports reactor site permitting, fuel fabrication, heavy manufacturing equipment, and domestic nuclear component production across multiple U.S. manufacturing states
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced more than $94 million in federal cost-shared funding for eight companies to support projects related to Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) in the United States.
According to DOE, the funding will support:
- Nuclear site permitting
- Fuel fabrication
- Nuclear supply chain expansion
- Heavy manufacturing equipment procurement
- Reactor component manufacturing
The projects are part of the DOE’s Generation III+ Small Modular Reactor Pathway to Deployment Program, which aims to support future deployment of advanced light-water SMRs in the United States.
U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright said advanced light-water SMRs would provide:
“Reliable, round-the-clock power needed to support America’s manufacturing growth, data centers, AI expansion, and a stronger electric grid.”
Projects Span Multiple Traditional Manufacturing and Energy States
The DOE awards include projects located across several states with longstanding manufacturing, industrial, and energy infrastructure, including:
- Pennsylvania
- Indiana
- Illinois
- Tennessee
- Washington
- North Carolina
- Nebraska
- New York
The projects involve:
- Nuclear equipment manufacturing
- Industrial processing
- Fuel fabrication
- Nuclear-grade steel production
- Site permitting and preparation
Funding Supports Nuclear Site Permitting
Part of the funding will support early-stage nuclear project permitting and site preparation.
Constellation Energy
received approximately $17.3 million to pursue an Early Site Permit for a proposed SMR location in New York.
Nebraska Public Power District
received approximately $27.9 million to support an Early Site Permit project in Nebraska.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s (NRC) Early Site Permit process is considered a major pre-construction step for future nuclear projects.
More Than $21 Million Allocated for Reactor Component Manufacturing
BWX Technologies
received approximately $21.4 million to procure equipment for its Mount Vernon, Indiana facility.
DOE stated that the project will support:
- Reactor pressure vessel assembly
- Manufacturing of large nuclear reactor components
Pressure vessels are among the most critical components in nuclear reactor systems and require specialized heavy industrial manufacturing capabilities.
DOE Funding Includes Heavy Industrial Manufacturing Equipment
Scot Forge
received approximately $12.3 million to procure and install:
- A large vertical turning lathe
- A gantry-style milling machine
at its Spring Grove, Illinois facility for large nuclear component manufacturing.
In addition:
North American Forgemasters
received approximately $2.9 million to procure a new industrial furnace for its New Castle, Pennsylvania facility to support nuclear-grade forging production.
Fuel Fabrication Projects Also Receive Federal Support
Framatome
received $8.8 million to expand fuel fabrication operations in Richland, Washington.
DOE stated that the project will increase ceramic fuel pellet production capacity and add approximately 200 metric tons of annual uranium fuel capacity.
Global Nuclear Fuel
received $3 million to establish an additional fuel rod fabrication line and upgrade automated inspection and storage systems at its Wilmington, North Carolina facility.
Additional Funding Supports Nuclear-Grade Steel Production
Container Technologies Industries
received approximately $548,000 to expand nuclear quality assurance certifications at its Helenwood, Tennessee facility.
DOE stated that the project will support nuclear-grade steel production for future SMR deployment.
DOE Cites AI, Data Centers, and Manufacturing Growth as Drivers of Electricity Demand
DOE stated that U.S. electricity demand is expected to increase in coming years due to:
- Artificial intelligence (AI)
- Data centers
- Advanced manufacturing
- Industrial energy demand
According to DOE, light-water SMRs offer:
- Flexible deployment
- Use of existing supply chains
- Standardized construction potential
and are viewed as one pathway for expanding future nuclear generation capacity in the United States.
Funding Follows Earlier DOE SMR Awards
The newly announced $94 million funding package is part of a broader DOE initiative supporting SMR deployment.
In 2025, DOE previously announced up to $800 million in awards to:
- Tennessee Valley Authority
- Holtec International
to support initial Gen III+ SMR deployment projects in Tennessee and Michigan.
DOE stated that the projects are intended to support future nuclear deployment and strengthen domestic nuclear manufacturing and supply chain capacity in the United States.
