WASHINGTON, D.C. – In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today released a Notice of Intent (NOI) inviting public comment on the scope of an upcoming draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to analyze the impacts of the Department’s proposed action to acquire high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) through procurement from commercial sources and to facilitate the establishment of commercial HALEU fuel production.

HALEU is a crucial material required by most U.S. advanced reactors to achieve smaller designs, longer operating cycles, and increased efficiencies over current nuclear energy technologies. However, HALEU is not currently available at commercial scale from domestic suppliers, which could significantly impact the development and deployment of advanced nuclear reactors.

“Spurring the nation’s capability to produce HALEU will set the stage for larger, commercial scale production,” said U.S. Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy Dr. Kathryn Huff. “This will bring us closer to deploying advanced nuclear technologies in communities across the country.” 

The Energy Act of 2020 directs DOE to establish and carry out a program to support the availability of HALEU for civilian, domestic research, development, demonstration, and commercial use. Consistent with this direction, the NOI focuses on the acquisition of HALEU produced by a commercial entity using enrichment technology and making it available for commercial use or demonstration projects.  

DOE intends to prepare an EIS in accordance with NEPA and its implementing regulations that will analyze the impacts of DOE’s proposed action. During the first steps of the NEPA process, DOE invites the public to comment now through July 20, 2023, on the scope of the draft EIS.   

Written comments can be submitted by mail and email at the following addresses:

Mail: 

Mr. James Lovejoy 

DOE EIS Document Manager 

U.S. Department of Energy,  

Idaho Operations Office,  

1955 Fremont Avenue, MS 1235,  

Idaho Falls, Idaho 83415 

E-mail: HALEU-EIS@nuclear.energy.gov  

DOE is also hosting three virtual scoping meetings to provide information on the NEPA process and proposed action, gather oral comments on the scope of the draft EIS, and enhance opportunities for public participation.  

Scoping comments may be submitted at any time during the scoping period from June 5, 2023, through July 20, 2023. Written comments received through the mail must be postmarked by July 20, 2023, to ensure consideration.  

For more information on the NOI and to register for the virtual scoping meetings, visit the HALEU EIS webpage.