BOISE, ID — The State of Idaho has submitted a proposal to the U.S. Department of Energy expressing interest in hosting a proposed Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus, according to a press release from the governor’s office.

The federal initiative is aimed at modernizing the nation’s nuclear fuel cycle and advancing next-generation nuclear energy technologies. States selected for the program would serve as central hubs for research, development, and deployment of advanced nuclear systems.

Governor Brad Little said Idaho’s history in nuclear energy positions the state as a strong candidate. He pointed to the state’s role in early nuclear development and its ongoing partnership with the Idaho National Laboratory as key factors in the proposal.

According to the release, Idaho’s submission was developed with input from the state’s Advanced Nuclear Energy Task Force, which was established in 2025. The proposal also includes support from private industry and government leaders at multiple levels.

If selected, state officials say the campus could contribute to economic growth, expand access to consistent power sources, and further position Idaho within the nuclear energy sector.