Curio and Utilities Service Alliance Sign Landmark Agreement to Advance Nuclear Fuel Recycling and Support U.S. Reactor Fleet
At the 2025 USA Nuclear Generator & Supplier Executive Summit in Nashville, a pivotal moment unfolded for the future of nuclear energy in the United States. Curio, a forward-thinking company at the forefront of advanced nuclear technologies, officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Utilities Service Alliance, Inc. (USA), a nonprofit organization representing a network of electric utilities that own and operate nuclear power plants. This strategic partnership sets the stage for deeper collaboration and the eventual development of formal supplier-partner agreements, supporting Curio’s mission to build a sustainable closed nuclear fuel cycle in the U.S.
A Strategic Step Toward a Resilient Nuclear Future
“This partnership with USA represents a strategic and significant step within the U.S. nuclear industry as it takes decisive action to support the future growth of the nation’s nuclear generation capacity in a sustainable and resource-efficient manner,” said Edward McGinnis, CEO of Curio and former (Acting) Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy at the U.S. Department of Energy. “We look forward to working with its member utilities to help build a secure, efficient infrastructure for what we see as the dawn of the ‘Second Nuclear Era.’”
The collaboration will explore ways to deploy Curio’s revolutionary NuCycle® technology, a process that aims to reshape how spent nuclear fuel is handled in the United States. NuCycle® dramatically reduces nuclear waste volume—by as much as 97%—while simultaneously curbing emissions by up to 88%. These capabilities promise significant environmental and economic advantages, particularly as the country prepares for a massive surge in power demand fueled by artificial intelligence, data center growth, and industrial electrification.
USA and Curio: A Shared Commitment to Innovation
For USA and its utility members, this MOU is more than a formality—it signals a strong commitment to building a more robust and innovative nuclear energy ecosystem.
“The MOU between Curio and Utilities Service Alliance represents a bold step toward securing a sustainable future for nuclear energy,” said Karen Fili, President and CEO of Utilities Service Alliance, Inc. “By leveraging Curio’s advanced technology and long-term vision, we’re opening the door to new opportunities for our members—enhancing economic value, strengthening supply chain resilience, and supporting innovation that aligns with USA’s unwavering commitment to our nuclear future.”
With decades of operational experience and a broad network of member utilities, USA is ideally positioned to support this next phase in nuclear advancement. USA’s platform facilitates operational collaboration, benchmarking, cost optimization, and the pursuit of emerging technologies. The MOU with Curio complements these efforts by adding a long-term recycling and fuel-supply dimension that aligns with members’ operational needs and environmental goals.
Aligning with National Nuclear Strategy
The timing of the MOU is significant. It follows a recent Executive Order by former President Donald Trump urging the U.S. Departments of Energy and Defense to develop actionable plans to recycle the nation’s growing inventory of spent nuclear fuel. The United States currently stores more than 90,000 metric tons of used nuclear fuel, with civilian reactors adding another 2,000 metric tons each year.
Rather than allowing this material to accumulate indefinitely, the agreement envisions a future in which that stockpile becomes a valuable feedstock for clean energy. Curio’s closed nuclear fuel cycle would enable the extraction of usable isotopes and transuranic elements for deployment in advanced reactors, helping to establish a closed nuclear fuel cycle economy—a model used effectively in other nuclear-advanced nations like France and Japan.
“By embracing nuclear fuel recycling, maximizing uranium resources, and producing transuranic isotopes for next-generation reactors, the U.S. is launching a closed nuclear fuel cycle economy—a game-changer for clean, reliable energy,” said McGinnis. “The nuclear renaissance is here, and at Curio, we’re thrilled to lead this charge in cooperation with our nation’s utilities.”
Toward a Supplier Agreement and Broader Deployment
As part of the MOU, Curio and USA have committed to engage in good faith negotiations to establish a more formal supplier-partner agreement as Curio’s recycling products and services become commercially available. These future agreements are expected to cover a variety of services and offerings, such as:
- Discounted uranium feedstocks for utility members
- Waste minimization and recycling services
- Secure and traceable fuel supply chains
- Collaborative research and pilot projects
This partnership aligns well with the ongoing evolution of utility strategies. With nuclear plants expected to play an increasingly central role in grid stability, decarbonization, and national energy security, having access to sustainable, domestically sourced fuel—and a recycling solution that significantly reduces waste—adds tangible value for operators.
Curio’s Expanding Collaborative Network
This MOU with USA builds on Curio’s expanding list of strategic partnerships across the nuclear energy sector. The company has already signed similar agreements with Energy Northwest, a USA member utility, as well as with major nuclear players such as Orano, Lightbridge, and NANO Nuclear. Additionally, Curio is collaborating with four of the Department of Energy’s leading national laboratories:
- Idaho National Laboratory (INL)
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL)
- Sandia National Laboratories
These partnerships serve dual purposes: they help validate the technical and economic viability of NuCycle®, while also reinforcing confidence among utilities and federal agencies in Curio’s capacity to scale and deploy its technologies at a national level.
The Promise of the Second Nuclear Era
As the U.S. faces increasing pressure to achieve net-zero emissions, strengthen its energy independence, and meet the growing demands of the digital economy, nuclear energy has re-emerged as a critical pillar of the national energy strategy. But to fully realize nuclear’s potential, the country must address the long-standing challenge of nuclear waste and fuel cycle sustainability.
This is precisely where the USA-Curio partnership steps in—bridging the operational expertise of U.S. nuclear utilities with cutting-edge innovation in fuel recycling and supply. It’s a relationship grounded in mutual benefit, technological advancement, and national interest.
“Through this partnership, USA member utilities will have the opportunity to play a leading role in shaping the next era of American nuclear energy,” McGinnis concluded. “Together, we are laying the groundwork for a smarter, cleaner, and more secure energy future.”
