LIS Tech's $1.38B Plant Aims for US Nuclear Energy Independence

OAK RIDGE, TN – January 16, 2026 – In a landmark move to reclaim American leadership in the global nuclear fuel market, LIS Technologies Inc. has announced a staggering $1.38 billion investment to construct a state-of-the-art laser uranium enrichment facility in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The project, poised to create 203 high-skilled jobs, will rise on a 206-acre site on the historic footprint of the K-25 Uranium Enrichment Site, breathing new life into a location central to America's nuclear past.

The company recently acquired the property, formerly known as Duct Island, for $8 million and has rebranded it “LIST Island.” This facility is slated to become the world's first commercial-scale plant using a U.S.-origin and patented laser enrichment technology. The investment marks a pivotal step in a national effort to rebuild a resilient domestic nuclear fuel supply chain, reducing reliance on foreign suppliers and bolstering both energy independence and national security.

“Tennessee continues to lead the nation in advancing American energy independence, which is why innovative companies like LIS Technologies recognize our efforts through projects like this,” said Tennessee Governor Bill Lee. He noted that the state's Nuclear Energy Fund, which has grown to $70 million, has been instrumental in attracting such cutting-edge projects.

The Laser Revolution in Enrichment

At the heart of this massive undertaking is LIS Technologies' proprietary Laser Isotope Separation Technology (L.I.S.T). The process uses advanced infrared lasers to selectively excite molecules of a specific uranium isotope (U-235), allowing for its efficient separation from the more common U-238 isotope. This stands in stark contrast to the two dominant methods of the past century.

The original K-25 plant, which once stood near the new site, used the energy-intensive gaseous diffusion method. The current global industry standard is gas centrifuge technology, which spins uranium hexafluoride gas at incredible speeds to separate the isotopes by mass. While effective, centrifuge plants are massive, capital-intensive facilities. LIS Technologies asserts its laser-based approach “fundamentally changes the economics of enrichment, enabling faster deployment, lower capital intensity, and long-term cost advantages,” according to Executive Chairman and CEO Jay Yu.

This isn't the first time laser enrichment has been attempted. Previous U.S. efforts, such as the Atomic Vapor Laser Isotope Separation (AVLIS) program, were abandoned in the early 2000s due to cost and efficiency challenges. However, LIS Technologies is confident its patented process has overcome these historical hurdles. The technology is designed to be highly versatile, capable of producing not only the Low-Enriched Uranium (LEU) that powers the existing fleet of nuclear reactors but also the High-Assay, Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) required by the next generation of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and microreactors.

“This investment reflects the continued momentum of Tennessee’s nuclear sector and builds on a strong year for nuclear energy in our state,” said Deputy Governor and TNECD Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter, highlighting the strategic fit of the project within the state's advanced energy goals.

Rebuilding a Critical National Capability

The timing of the announcement is critical. For decades, the United States has been heavily reliant on foreign nations, including Russia, for its uranium enrichment services. This dependency has been increasingly viewed as a significant economic and national security vulnerability. In response, the U.S. government has launched major initiatives to onshore the nuclear fuel cycle.

In December 2024, LIS Technologies was selected as one of six companies to participate in the Department of Energy's Low-Enriched Uranium (LEU) Enrichment Acquisition Program. This initiative dedicates up to $3.4 billion over ten years to stimulate domestic production, providing a crucial financial backstop for pioneering companies.

“This investment represents more than the construction of a single facility,” explained Christo Liebenberg, President and Co-Founder of LIS Technologies. “It reflects a commitment to restoring a critical domestic capability, advancing peaceful nuclear technologies, and strengthening the United States’ competitiveness in an evolving global energy landscape.” By providing a secure domestic source of enriched uranium for utilities, advanced reactor developers, and national defense, the LIST Island facility aims to be a cornerstone of this strategic realignment.

A Full-Circle Moment on Historic Ground

The choice of Oak Ridge is deeply symbolic. The city was born in secrecy during World War II as a key site for the Manhattan Project, with the original K-25 plant playing a vital role in producing the enriched uranium that helped end the war. For one of the company's founders, the location carries profound personal meaning.

“As a child, my life was saved during World War II while I was held in a Japanese internment camp in Indonesia,” shared Dr. Jeff Eerkens, the technology's inventor and a co-founder of the company. “Oak Ridge’s K-25 facility helped produce the enriched uranium that brought the war to an end. Returning to Oak Ridge decades later with a peaceful, commercial laser enrichment technology is a powerful full-circle moment.”

After enrichment operations ceased in 1985, the K-25 site underwent decades of extensive environmental remediation. The massive, mile-long K-25 building was demolished, and the area was rebranded as the East Tennessee Technology Park (ETTP) to attract new industries. LIS Technologies' facility will be built on land that has been thoroughly prepared for reindustrialization, representing a capstone achievement for one of the nation's most complex environmental cleanup projects. The project not only promises economic revitalization but also honors the site's complex legacy by ushering in a new era of peaceful nuclear innovation.

The Regulatory Path Forward

While the announcement marks a significant milestone, the path to commercial operation involves navigating a rigorous regulatory landscape. LIS Technologies must secure a license from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) under regulations governing the handling of source and special nuclear material. This multi-year process includes the preparation of a comprehensive Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and a Safety Evaluation Report (SER), both of which involve public comment periods and stringent technical reviews.

The company has stated its NRC licensing process is already underway and, subject to final approvals and investment decisions, it intends to break ground for site preparation in 2026. The target for initial commercial operations is set for before 2030, an ambitious timeline that reflects the urgency of meeting accelerating demand for domestically sourced nuclear fuel.

“Selecting Oak Ridge is both a strategic and symbolic decision for LIS Technologies,” said Jay Yu. “This community represents the foundation of America’s enrichment capability and the future of its clean energy and national security mission.” With strong backing from state and federal governments and a groundbreaking technology, the company is positioning its LIST Island facility to not only revitalize a historic site but also to redefine America's role in the future of nuclear energy.