US President Joe Biden’s administration has requested $2.2 billion from Congress to expand uranium enrichment capabilities to reduce dependence on Russian resources. This is stated in a document distributed by the White House, it says TASS.
Officials are asking US lawmakers to allocate $6 billion for fiscal year 2024 (beginning October 1) to ensure “American security and energy independence.” Of this amount, $2.2 billion will be directed to the Department of Energy to expand long-term domestic capacities for the enrichment of low-enriched uranium (HALEU, uranium enriched up to 20%). Uranium is needed for small modular nuclear reactors being developed in the country.
The White House said: “This is a national security priority because dependence on Russian uranium resources poses risks to the US economy and the civilian nuclear industry, especially in light of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Without action, Russia will continue to control the global uranium market, which will harm U.S. allies and partners. “For the successful implementation of this initiative, a long-term ban on the import of enriched uranium from the Russian Federation to the United States is also required.”
In recent years, the United States has sought to replace Russian fuel with high levels of low-enriched uranium to power its modular nuclear reactors. The idea of developing and using a new generation of small reactors is gaining particular popularity in the country. But developers of new nuclear power plants in the U.S. fear they won’t be able to get orders for their reactors without a sufficient supply of enriched uranium. US Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said the country should stop sending money to Russia for uranium and other fuels. Washington is trying to reduce uranium imports from Russia by increasing its own production capacity.
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