President Joe Biden has officially endorsed a bipartisan measure that prohibits the importation of enriched uranium from Russia, marking the latest maneuver by Washington to exert pressure on Vladimir Putin in response to his military intervention in Ukraine.
Commencing in approximately 90 days, the ban on importing this nuclear fuel will take effect, albeit with provisions allowing the Department of Energy (DOE) to grant waivers in cases of supply shortages, extending until 2028.
As the primary global supplier of enriched uranium, Russia currently furnishes approximately 24% of the enriched uranium utilized by American nuclear power facilities.
In the aftermath of Russia’s incursion into Ukraine, the White House previously barred the importation of Russian oil and gas as part of an initiative to sever external revenue streams to Russia.
Subsequently, the United States and its allies have implemented additional sanctions targeting Russia and its expansive energy sector.
The delay in restricting Russian uranium imports stemmed partially from the United States’ dependence on these imports, coupled with concerns that a shortage of fuel could disrupt the nation’s 93 nuclear reactors.
Despite being the largest consumer of nuclear fuels globally, the United States presently possesses domestic enrichment capabilities sufficient to fulfill only 30% of the fuel requirements for its numerous reactors, as outlined in a report by the US House pertaining to the recently passed legislation.
The report underscored the United States’ reliance on “Russia’s state-owned nuclear power company, Rosatom, and its subsidiary Tenex.”
Kathryn Huff, the DOE’s assistant secretary for nuclear energy, disclosed last week that preparations have been underway since 2022 to fortify domestic uranium processing capacity in anticipation of a potential cessation of uranium sales by Russia.
The legislation is poised to “bolster our nation’s energy and economic security by diminishing, and eventually eliminating, our dependence on Russia for civilian nuclear power,” stated Jake Sullivan, the US national security adviser.
Morgan Lewis, a law firm specializing in advising nuclear reactor proprietors on fuel supply and regulatory matters, expressed confidence that “alternative sources of uranium and enrichment services, in conjunction with the revitalization of the domestic fuel cycle industry, should ultimately mitigate any substantial ramifications of the legislation on the US nuclear sector.”
Moreover, the legislation prohibiting Russian uranium imports unlocks approximately $2.7 billion in funding to bolster capacity within the US uranium fuel industry.
According to the House report on the new law, one US conversion facility is already in the process of reactivation and is projected to satisfy roughly “40% of US market demand in the immediate future.”
Countries such as Canada, France, and Japan have pledged assistance to the United States in establishing an “allied alternative” to Russian uranium, as confirmed by Huff last week.
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