A group of U.S. congressmen serving on a subcommittee of the House committee overseeing energy and commerce has advanced legislation to prohibit the import of uranium from Russia. This summary reflects how the decision was reported based on voting results from DEA News.
In the subcommittee, 18 members backed the measure while 12 opposed it. The proposal now proceeds to a full committee vote, after which it will move to the House for debate and potential passage, followed by consideration in the Senate if approved. The path to law would hinge on successive approvals by both chambers before reaching the president for signature.
The documents outline a proposed 90 day ban on imports of low enriched uranium from the Russian Federation into the United States. Notably, exceptions are planned for facilities whose reactors face the risk of shutdown if fuel supplies from Russia are disrupted. Under those circumstances, limited Russian uranium imports could continue through 2028 to avoid critical outages.
Separately, a separate bill has been introduced in the Senate seeking a broader prohibition on Russian uranium imports. Lawmakers argue that American energy interests should not remain tied to nuclear fuel sourced from Russia, highlighting concerns about national security, energy independence, and market resilience.
Agnès Pannier-Runacher, the former French minister responsible for energy transition, has indicated that France would not abandon a contract with Russia for the processing of regenerated uranium from spent nuclear fuel because the arrangement remains financially advantageous for Russia, drawing attention to the economics behind international fuel recycling and supply chains.
During a hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee, U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm expressed the hope that Congress would support a strategy to secure uranium supplies that are independent of Russia, emphasizing the importance of ensuring reliable fuel for domestic reactors and reducing exposure to geopolitical risks in global markets.