April 10 (UPI) -- For the first time, nuclear fuel enriched above 5% will be irradiated in a commercial U.S. reactor, the Department of Energy announced Thursday. "The higher enrichment levels allow the fuel to last longer and operate at increased power levels - potentially leading to additional reliable power production at nuclear power plants across the country," a release from the DOE's Office of Nuclear Energy said. Commercial nuclear reactors typically operate on fuel that is between 3%