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License Granted by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Authorizes TRISO-X to Operate Units TX-1 and TX-2 for 40 Years, Allowing Commercial Production of TRISO Fuel with HALEU and Marking the First Approval of a New Nuclear Fuel Facility in the Country in Over Half a Century
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission approved the first new fuel license in 50 years, authorizing TRISO-X to manufacture nuclear fuel with HALEU and operate units TX-1 and TX-2 for 40 years.
The decision allows TRISO-X, a subsidiary of X-energy supported by Amazon, to manufacture advanced nuclear fuel in the United States. The authorization paves the way for the commercial production of TRISO fuel, developed for use in small modular nuclear reactors.
The TX-1 and TX-2 facilities have been licensed for an initial period of 40 years. They will be able to receive, possess, process, and transport high-assay low-enriched uranium, known as HALEU, throughout the fuel manufacturing cycle.
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Nuclear Energy Advances with First New Fuel License in 50 Years
The approval is considered significant because TX-1 and TX-2 are the first new nuclear fuel facilities licensed by the NRC in over 50 years. TX-1 is expected to become the first Category II nuclear fuel facility in the United States.
In practice, this brings the country closer to large-scale production of its own fuel for advanced reactors. The measure reduces dependence on limited global supplies, strengthening the domestic nuclear energy supply chain.
The license was issued under Part 70 of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations, which regulates special nuclear materials. The document authorizes all steps of the industrial process involving HALEU.
Regulatory Framework and Complete Manufacturing Cycle
With the authorization, TRISO-X will be able to receive uranium feedstock, transform it into finished fuel and send it to small modular reactor projects. The cycle includes processing, handling, and transportation of the nuclear material.
TRISO fuel uses tiny particles coated with multiple protective layers. According to the company, this configuration makes the material more resistant to overheating and structural failure compared to traditional nuclear fuel.
X-energy has been developing TRISO for nearly a decade. The work began with a pilot facility at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in 2016, consolidating the project’s technological foundation.
Statements and Operational Timeline
Joel Duling, president of TRISO-X, stated that the regulatory approval brings the company closer to a resilient supply of American fuel for next-generation nuclear technology. According to him, the license fills a long-standing gap in the U.S. nuclear fuel cycle.
Duling also noted that the review was completed three months ahead of schedule. He stated that the team will continue working to bring commercial TRISO production to East Tennessee.
Before operations begin, the NRC will conduct a final inspection of the facilities. The objective is to verify that safety systems are installed and functioning and that the team is properly trained to operate the units.
Impact for Advanced Reactors and National Supply Chain
The approval came after a detailed safety analysis and environmental impact assessment, both recommending the continuation of the project. The agency confirmed that TRISO-X met federal safety, safeguards, and security requirements.
TX-1 is under construction in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, as part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program. TX-2 remains in the design phase and is expected to significantly expand production capacity.
X-energy plans to support a commercial pipeline of 11 gigawatts, equivalent to about 144 Xe-100 modular reactors. Once completed, TX-1 and TX-2 will establish, for the first time in the country, a stable commercial source of TRISO fuel for nuclear energy.
The decision comes as the U.S. seeks to rebuild domestic supply chains and reduce dependence on foreign sources of enriched uranium. HALEU is considered crucial for various next-generation reactor projects, reinforcing the strategy to expand nuclear energy in the country.
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