Department of Energy to provide uranium to Abilene Christian University to fuel nuclear reactor

ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – The U.S. Department of Energy is going to provide uranium to Abilene Christian University to fuel their nuclear salt reactor.

Thursday, DOE officials announced their intent to provide high-assay low-enriched uranium to three U.S. companies, including Abilene Christian University in partnership with Natura Resources LLC.

“This investment not only strengthens our nation’s energy security but also expands opportunities for ACU students and faculty to engage in innovative research with global impact, while furthering the important work of our partners at Natura Resources,” Abilene Christian University President Dr. Phil Schubert explains.

HALEU supply is so critical because it is not available from domestic suppliers and is crucial to the operation of these reactors.

By filling in the gap and allowing ACU and the other companies to continue their projects, the DOE says they are helping launch “an American nuclear energy renaissance.”

“Energy security is national security, and Abilene Christian University’s Molten Salt Research Reactor is critical to making the future of nuclear energy more deployable, efficient, and safe,” said U.S. Representative and House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington (TX-19). 

All three projects the DOE is providing with HALEU fuel are as follows:

• Antares Nuclear, Inc., for use in their advanced microreactor design that is looking to go critical by July 4, 2026, under the Department’s Reactor Pilot Program.
• Standard Nuclear, Inc., to establish TRISO fuel lines to support the Reactor Pilot Program and other TRISO-fueled reactors.
• Abilene Christian University/Natura Resources LLC, for use in a new molten salt research reactor that is under construction in Texas.

Additional companies could also receive HALEU fuel in the future as the DOE’s HALEU Availability Program continues.