Wyoming in the Mix for Massive New Uranium Refining Plant

Wyoming could soon play host to the biggest uranium refining facility in the country — a project that industry leaders say would be a game-changer for US fuel security.

Uranium Energy Corp. (UEC) announced plans this week for a new, state-of-the-art conversion plant that would turn yellowcake from the mines into uranium hexafluoride gas, the key ingredient for fueling nuclear reactors. If built, it would be the second facility of its kind in the US — and the largest.

“There are only three in the western world — France, Canada and Illinois,” said UEC executive Scott Melbye, speaking from the World Nuclear Symposium in London. “This would make us the second in the US and the biggest at full capacity.”

Wyoming is firmly in the running. The state recently leapfrogged Texas to become the No. 2 uranium producer in the nation and is on track to surpass Utah for the top spot. With existing UEC operations in the Powder River Basin, and a workforce steeped in energy production, Wyoming has an edge. But Texas, home to UEC’s headquarters, is also a strong contender.

Melbye praised Wyoming’s workforce and business climate, but stressed that the company is conducting a full siting process, weighing everything from logistics to state incentives to local support.

“We love Wyoming,” he said, “but we want to go where the community wants us.”

If Wyoming lands the project, it would give the US a modern alternative to the 60-year-old Honeywell facility in Illinois. At full build-out, the new refinery could handle 10,000 metric tons of uranium per year — more than half of current US demand.

Backers say the project isn’t just about powering the grid. It would also support America’s defense programs, including the Navy’s nuclear fleet, and help rebuild strategic uranium reserves.

Even if the plant goes elsewhere, Wyoming would still play a role by feeding ore from its mines into the supply chain. But industry experts say landing the facility would be a major win, adding jobs and keeping the Cowboy State at the forefront of nuclear energy’s revival.

Don’t expect bulldozers tomorrow, though. Site selection, licensing, and construction could take years. Still, UEC’s move signals that Wyoming — long known for coal, oil, and gas — could soon add nuclear fuel refining to its energy portfolio.

The original story by David Madison