Oklahoma DOE outlines possible nuclear energy project in federal documents

Oklahoma is one of five states that could be the home of a new Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus (NLIC), according to the Department of Energy. By the end of 2026, DOE said it would choose three states from the five finalists to host the campuses.

New documents show how the state would plan to operate, manage and maintain safety at the site.

RELATED: Oklahoma Advances in Competition for U.S. Nuclear Innovation Campus

A Nuclear Innovation Lifestyle Campus is a facility that would support the full process of the nuclear energy lifecycle. These facilities have facilities for fuel fabrication, enrichment, reprocessing used nuclear fuel, and final disposition of used nuclear fuel.

DOE said it would integrate a system at the Oklahoma Nuclear Innovation Campus (ONLIC) to perform all functions needed for the NLIC; These would include:

• A Front-End Fuel Cycle Complex for uranium conversion/deconversion, enrichment, and fuel fabrication.
• A Back-End Fuel Cycle System for used fuel recycling, interim storage, and permanent waste disposition.
• A Power and Innovation Zone for advanced reactor deployment and isotope production.
• An Environmental Stewardship, Safety, and Public Engagement Program
• A Workforce and Research Hub anchored by Oklahoma’s universities and CareerTech system.

What requirements would Oklahoma NLIC follow?

DOE did not list a proposed site in the documents, but it said there would be a thorough review to determine where the campus could sit. Documents said the ONIC would adopt licensing practices consistent with best practices for complex nuclear facilities and aligned with existing NRC and DOE processes.

According to documents, this process would follow four steps.

Documents said the ONIC would adopt licensing practices consistent with best practices for complex nuclear facilities and aligned with existing NRC and DOE processes.

Phase 1: Early characterization and early engagement

• Geological, hydrological and environmental characterization
• Early engagement with NRC, EPA, DOE, and state regulators
• Identification of licensing pathway(s) for each facility type

Phase 2: Construction authorization

• Submission of safety analyses and environmental reports
• Design certification (where applicable) for reactors and fuel cycle facilities
• Demonstration that siting and design meet regulatory requirements

Phase 3: Operational Licensing

• Authorization to operate based on verified compliance with safety systems, radiation protection and environmental controls
• Implementation of monitoring and inspection programs

Phase 4: Closure and Post-Closure

• Demonstration that disposal systems meet long-term performance standards (e.g., EPA Part 191)
• Implementation of sealing, closure, and institutional controls
• Transition to DOE-led long-term stewardship

DOE said that following a phased approach reduces risk and maintains safety at each step.

RELATED: Are nuclear power plants safe?

How would Oklahoma NLIC impact the environment?

To make sure the NLIC doesn’t negatively impact the environment, DOE said it would make sure the campus fully complies with U.S. regulatory frameworks. Officials said cross-campus strategies would regulate licensing, construction, operation, closure, and long-term stewardship of all campus facilities, including reactors, fuel cycle infrastructure, and disposal systems.

Who would regulate Oklahoma NLIC?

The DOE documents said the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) will serve as the state’s primary radioactive materials regulatory authority.

The Secretary of Energy and Environment’s office will serve as Oklahoma’s policy lead and will communicate with the federal government.

The Oklahoma Advanced Nuclear Energy Office is in the works through state legislation (HB 3175) and would serve as the home for strategy, regulations, and managing federal partnerships.

The Federal framework already in place will regulate licensing, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards, and DOE standards.

How will Oklahoma nuclear project leaders get communities on board?

Documents said that communities near proposed sites, tribal nations and environmental groups might oppose the project. To reassure Oklahomans, officials said research will be done and they will be transparent with the community.

Project leaders said they plan to partner with OU to conduct opinion research, hold community meetings, consult with tribal leaders and work to be transparent about the process.

The documents note that a big challenge they face will be concerns about the disposal of nuclear waste. The document states, “independent research shows that four out of five Americans prefer radioactive waste to be disposed of permanently underground rather than stored at the surface, and prefer disposal near the waste’s origin rather than transport across communities

Our plan for co-located deep borehole disposal aligns directly with these preferences, offering deep geologic isolation, modular deployment that can be aligned with local consent, and reduced need for long-distance transport.”

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