Wedoany.com Report on Feb 15th, The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has issued a new license to TRISO-X, allowing it to manufacture advanced nuclear fuel in the United States. This permit marks the first approval for a new nuclear fuel facility in the U.S. in over 50 years, paving the way for the commercialization of TRISO fuel produced from high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) and helping to reduce dependence on global supplies.
TRISO-X is a subsidiary of X-energy, a small modular nuclear reactor developer backed by Amazon. The license authorizes TRISO-X to operate two commercial fuel facilities, named TX-1 and TX-2, with an initial operational period of 40 years. TX-1 is expected to become the first Category II nuclear fuel facility in the U.S. and is currently under construction in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, while TX-2 remains in the design phase and is projected to significantly increase production capacity.
The license was issued under 10 CFR Part 70, permitting TRISO-X to receive, process, and transport HALEU throughout the manufacturing cycle. TRISO fuel is designed with tiny particles coated in multiple protective layers, making it more robust than traditional nuclear fuel and better resistant to overheating and material failure. X-energy has been developing this fuel for nearly a decade, starting from a pilot facility at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in 2016.
TRISO-X President Joel Duling stated, "Regulatory approval brings us one step closer to providing a resilient U.S. fuel supply for next-generation nuclear technologies, advancing our energy security by addressing a long-standing gap in the U.S. nuclear fuel cycle." He added, "Securing this first-of-its-kind license reflects the technical leadership and sustained efforts of the TRISO-X team, as well as the focused process with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, which completed the review three months ahead of schedule. We look forward to continuing our efforts to bring commercial-scale TRISO production to East Tennessee."
The NRC's approval was based on a detailed safety review and environmental impact assessment, confirming that TRISO-X meets federal safety requirements. Prior to operations, the agency will conduct final inspections to ensure safety systems are ready and staff are adequately trained. X-energy plans to support a commercial pipeline of 11 gigawatts, equivalent to approximately 144 Xe-100 small modular reactors, aiming to establish a stable source of TRISO fuel.
This decision comes as the U.S. pushes to rebuild its domestic nuclear fuel supply chain, with HALEU fuel being critical for next-generation reactor designs. By securing the first fuel license in 50 years, the U.S. is moving toward self-sufficient production of advanced nuclear fuel, reducing reliance on external supplies and supporting nuclear energy innovation.
