WASHINGTON, D.C., April 23, 2026 — The U.S. Department of Justice Antitrust Division has approved updated cooperation arrangements among domestic nuclear energy companies participating in a consortium established under the Defense Production Act to strengthen the country’s nuclear fuel supply chain.
The approvals cover the consortium’s revised Voluntary Agreement and related Plans of Action, developed through a Department of Energy initiative aimed at boosting domestic nuclear fuel production and reducing reliance on foreign suppliers.
The Justice Department said the approvals were granted after consultation with the Federal Trade Commission and allow companies involved in the consortium to collaborate on supply chain initiatives while remaining within the bounds of antitrust law.
Collaboration across nuclear fuel supply chain
The consortium, coordinated by the U.S. Department of Energy, aims to expand domestic capacity across the nuclear fuel supply chain. This includes activities such as uranium mining and milling, conversion, enrichment, deconversion, fuel fabrication, recycling and reprocessing.
According to the Department of Justice, the collaboration is intended to help ensure the continued reliable operation of U.S. nuclear reactors by strengthening the domestic industrial base.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Omeed A. Assefi said the Defense Production Act can be a powerful tool for addressing national preparedness and energy security challenges while preserving compliance with antitrust rules.
Supporting energy independence
The agreements form part of broader policy efforts linked to the executive order “Reinvigorating the Nuclear Industrial Base,” which seeks to expand domestic nuclear fuel production and reduce dependence on foreign sources of enriched uranium and other critical materials.
Officials said the consortium’s work is expected to support energy independence and reliable power generation as nuclear energy plays an increasing role in the country’s energy mix.
Oversight of consortium activities
Section 708 of the Defense Production Act permits industry participants to enter into agreements necessary to meet national defense requirements and provides limited antitrust protection for activities carried out under approved arrangements.
The Justice Department said it will continue working with the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Energy to monitor the consortium’s implementation of the agreement and its associated action plans.
