The Energy Department announced on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, that it has signed memorandums of agreement with five states—Utah, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Idaho—to explore the possibility of storing nuclear waste within their borders. This move addresses the longstanding challenge of managing nuclear waste in the United States.

Earlier in 2026, the Trump administration had indicated interest in identifying states willing to accept nuclear waste, and these agreements mark a formal step toward that goal.

The selected states will work with the Energy Department to assess the feasibility and implications of hosting nuclear waste storage facilities.

Sources