In a major push for energy independence, the U.S. Department of Energy has launched a campaign called “Nuclear Dominance — 3 by 33.” The goal is to end the country’s reliance on foreign uranium by 2033. It’s one of the most ambitious nuclear fuel efforts the U.S. has seen in decades.
At the heart of the campaign is a consortium of more than 90 companies. They’ve joined together under the Defense Production Act to rebuild America’s nuclear fuel supply chain. The group covers every major step in the process — from uranium milling and conversion to enrichment, fabrication, and even recycling and reprocessing. It’s a full-cycle approach that hasn’t existed domestically at this scale before.
The campaign was triggered by executive orders signed in May 2025. It uses 60-day “sprints” to take fast, targeted actions across the supply chain. Each sprint focuses on a specific part of the fuel cycle, allowing the government and industry to move quickly without getting bogged down.
Nuclear power already generates nearly 20% of the electricity used in the United States. The campaign’s fuel supply goals are designed to support both existing reactors and newer advanced reactor designs. Officials say a secure domestic fuel supply is critical for long-term energy stability.
The DOE’s UPRISE program is also part of this broader effort. It’s targeting 2.5 gigawatts of additional nuclear capacity by 2027, with a goal of 5 gigawatts by 2029. That means restarting old reactors and upgrading existing ones. This expansion aligns with a broader global movement, as around 20 countries pledged to triple nuclear capacity by 2050 at COP28.
Financing is a key piece of the puzzle. The Office of Energy Dominance Financing is offering more than $289 billion in loan authority. Projects can receive up to 80% financing to help close the gap between early-stage development and private investment. Contact details are available via DOE.
Officials say the campaign’s broader aim is to reduce U.S. dependence on critical materials, lower fuel costs, and accelerate the move toward a closed nuclear fuel cycle. The “3 by 33” initiative also aligns with the DOE’s critical-minerals industrial strategy, reflecting parallel programs such as TRACE-Ga and METALLIC that extend beyond nuclear power alone. The 2033 deadline is meant to hold the effort accountable. The United States is currently a leading force in nuclear power, accounting for nearly 20% of global nuclear generation.
References
- https://www.geomechanics.io/news/article/doe-nuclear-dominance-3-by-33-fuel-cycle-strategy-explained-for-engineers
- https://mining.com.au/us-doe-unveils-3-by-33-nuclear-fuel-campaign/
- https://www.youtube.com/shorts/iw2cVwMRLvY
- https://www.industrialinfo.com/news/article/doe-launches-program-to-support-us-nuclear-uprates-restarts–354946
- https://nuclearinnovationalliance.org/role-does-office-energy-dominance-financing-us-nuclear-energy-leadership
- https://www.energy.gov/EDF
