General Matter Submits HALEU License Application to U.S. NRC

Paducah, Kentucky, USA——General Matter submitted a license application to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) on September 28, 2026, for the construction and operation of a nuclear facility. The project aims to produce High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) to meet the growing domestic demand for advanced nuclear reactor fuel in the United States.

General Matter plans to build a dedicated HALEU production facility within the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Paducah Site in Paducah. The site was previously used for uranium enrichment and possesses certain infrastructure and geographic advantages. This application marks a key step in the company's formal launch of a next-generation nuclear fuel production program.

It is understood that HALEU is a nuclear fuel with a uranium concentration between that of low-enriched uranium (LEU) and highly enriched uranium. It is regarded as a key fuel form for next-generation nuclear reactors, particularly small modular reactors (SMRs). Compared with traditional LEU, HALEU can significantly improve reactor efficiency and safety and reduce the generation of nuclear waste.

General Matter stated that its HALEU production project will help strengthen U.S. energy security, promote nuclear energy technology innovation, and contribute to the long-term development of the U.S. nuclear industry. The company expects that, once licensed, the facility will begin operation within the next few years and provide a stable HALEU supply to nuclear power plants in the United States and abroad.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission will conduct a comprehensive review of General Matter's license application, including safety assessment, environmental impact analysis, and compliance review. The review process is expected to last several months, after which the NRC will ultimately decide whether to approve the project.

The launch of this project has also drawn attention and support from the local government of Kentucky. The city of Paducah and surrounding areas benefit from employment opportunities in the energy industry, and the construction of the new facility will further promote local economic development.

Against the backdrop of the nuclear energy industry receiving increasing attention, General Matter's HALEU production project undoubtedly injects new vitality into the U.S. nuclear energy industry and also provides important support for addressing climate change and achieving sustainable energy goals.

It is worth noting that the HALEU production in this application is not aimed at weapons-grade enriched uranium, but rather at safe uranium fuel that meets civilian nuclear energy standards. The company emphasizes that all of its activities strictly comply with U.S. nuclear regulations and international nuclear safety standards.