The U.S. Energy Department announced on Tuesday, July 28th, 2026, that it has signed memorandums of agreement with five states—Utah, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Idaho—to explore possible nuclear waste storage locations. This move comes as part of an effort to address the longstanding issue of nuclear waste disposal.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated, “I’m pleased to announce that after reviewing 28 applications from 26 states, the Energy Department has selected five initial contenders to further explore building Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campuses.”

Earlier in 2026, the Trump administration expressed intentions to advance new nuclear waste storage sites rapidly, aiming to have initial facilities operational around 2027.

The selection of these states marks a significant step in the administration's approach to managing nuclear waste, a challenge that has persisted for decades.

Additional context from the same day includes political developments such as Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas) noting the absence of a deal with the Trump administration regarding a nomination for attorney general, and international energy dynamics with U.S. crude oil prices falling below $80 amid discussions involving Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Oman.

Sources

Reported by Rachel Frazin