Background
Nuclear energy plays a vital role in ensuring America’s energy security and achieving energy dominance. With rising national energy demands, UPRISE builds on the U.S. Department of Energy’s commitment to leveraging nuclear power as a cornerstone of energy independence and security. By focusing on solutions available today and immediate opportunities for nuclear energy capacity expansion, UPRISE aims to deliver immediate results that align with national energy priorities.
Initiative Description
UPRISE is guided by Executive Orders that emphasize the strategic importance of nuclear energy for national security, economic growth, and energy dominance.
UPRISE aims to enhance nuclear energy production by increasing the power output of existing reactors, bringing dormant facilities back online, completing stalled projects, and advancing new reactor construction. The initiative is focused on significantly expanding the nation’s nuclear energy capacity over the coming decades to meet growing energy demands and to secure an abundant energy future.
To achieve these goals, UPRISE will focus on uprates, the scaling up the power and energy production of existing nuclear plants, leveraging existing infrastructure to deploy nuclear reactors at licensed sites, and taking advantage of streamlined regulatory processes to accelerate implementation. This effort will ensure that the U.S. remains a global leader in nuclear energy innovation and deployment, and invigorate the domestic supply chains required for both upgrading existing plants and the build-out of future nuclear plants.
By aligning DOE resources, industry expertise, and regulatory reforms, UPRISE will lead to significant increases in the nation’s nuclear energy capacity. The initiative focuses on extending reactor lifespans through license renewals, boosting output via power “uprates,” restarting dormant facilities and optimizing operating plant efficiency with modern technologies including advanced fuel technologies. Additionally, UPRISE will strengthen economic viability through strategic financing partnerships, and demonstrates progress in new reactor construction, reinforcing the U.S. commitment to nuclear energy leadership and innovation.
Announcements
- Read the Office of Nuclear Energy milestone article announcing the launch of UPRISE. (March 12, 2026)