Curio® Begins Application Process for Part 70 Operating License for NuCycle® Used Nuclear Fuel Recycling Production Facility

Letter of Intent Submitted May 27, 2026, Asks NRC to Establish 10 CFR 70 Docket Ahead of Formal Application

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Curio®, a leader in advanced nuclear recycling technologies, today announced it has submitted a letter of intent to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to establish a 10 CFR 70 docket for pre-application engagement activities and ultimately the submittal and review of an operating license application for the NuCycle® used nuclear fuel recycling production facility. Once a docket is established, the license application will be developed to meet all applicable regulations for a nuclear fuel recycling facility.

This facility is designed to process up to 4,000 metric tons of commercial light water reactor used nuclear fuel (UNF) annually, in a modular operating concept. The products of the proprietary NuCycle process – recently validated by four DOE national laboratories – will be enrichable uranium hexafluoride (UF6), trans-uranic TRUFuel™, and valuable isotopes.

The first-of-a-kind facility design will accommodate UNF feedstock ranging from low-enriched light-water reactor fuel and high-assay, low-enriched uranium to high-enriched Department of Energy-managed fuel. It will also include a UNF feedstock staging facility to allow for a controlled process for moving the UNF into the front end of the recycling process. Site selection for the NuCycle facility is ongoing.

“The initiation of this application process marks a key and decisive moment for Curio and our nation as we commercially deploy what will be the world’s most advanced and capable used nuclear fuel recycling facility based on our game-changing NuCycle technology,” said Ed McGinnis, President & CEO of Curio.

About Curio

Curio (https://www.curio.energy/) stands at the forefront of nuclear technology innovation, driving breakthroughs in sustainable nuclear power generation, fuel recycling, and waste management to usher in The 2nd Nuclear Era®. Committed to pioneering new solutions that reshape the future of nuclear energy, they are fostering partnerships and innovations that will redefine the industry for generations to come. Curio has achieved lab-scale validation across four DOE national labs, secured $14M in competitive federal grants, and partnered with Utilities Service Alliance (USA) for collaboration and supplier-partner agreement options for its 18 operating U.S. member reactors.