The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission is in the process of rescinding or revising guidance and policies posted on this webpage in accordance with Executive Order 14151 Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing, and Executive Order 14168 Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government. In the interim, any previously issued diversity, equity, inclusion, or gender-related guidance on this webpage should be considered rescinded that is inconsistent with these Executive Orders.

Enrichment of New Fuels

The nuclear fuel used in most nuclear reactor designs needs to have a higher concentration of the uranium-235 isotope than that which exists in natural uranium ore. Enrichment facilities to date have enriched the uranium with up to 5 weight percent uranium-235 (U-235). Enrichment facilities that wish to enrich uranium with up to 20 weight percent U-235, but whose current possession limits do not allow the possession and/or use of material enriched up to 20 weight percent U-235, will need to apply for license amendments. These license amendments would likely involve modifications to criticality safety analysis, integrated safety analysis and controls (and potentially other types of controls). Modifications to controls could include physical modifications to equipment.

Page Last Reviewed/Updated Thursday, July 18, 2024