The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has approved Global Nuclear Fuel—Americas (GNF) its first-ever authorization to produce nuclear fuel with uranium-235 (U-235) enrichments up to 8% for commercial power generation. The NRC approved a license amendment allowing GNF’s nuclear fuel fabrication facility near Wilmington, North Carolina, to produce the special nuclear fuel (SNF) material, also known as low enriched uranium plus (LEU+). The previous SNM–1097 license allowed GNF to possess and use U-235 enriched up to 5% for the fabrication of commercial nuclear power fuel. This approval marks a significant milestone for the nuclear sector, which has been working towards implementing higher-enrichment fuels. The first ATF lead test assemblies with a weight greater than 5% are scheduled to be loaded in 2025 at Southern Co.’s Plant Vogtle Unit 2.

Solar Dominates US Energy Capacity Growth
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has published data showing that solar accounted for over 75% of US electrical generating







