The US Senate has unanimously approved legislation aimed at banning imports of Russian uranium, furthering efforts to disrupt Russia’s actions in its war against Ukraine. The bill, which had previously passed the House of Representatives, targets a key resource used in commercial nuclear reactors for electricity production.
The legislation, set to take effect 90 days after enactment, includes provisions for waivers in case of domestic supply concerns for nuclear reactors. Additionally, it unlocks $2.7 billion previously allocated to develop the domestic uranium processing industry.
U.S. Senate Passes Bill Banning Russian Uranium Imports (Credits: Power Technology)
With US nuclear power plants having imported around 12% of their uranium from Russia in 2022, according to the US Energy Information Administration, the move is remarkable. Senator John Barrasso emphasized Wyoming’s capacity to replace Russian imports, highlighting the state’s role in domestic uranium production.
Described as a bipartisan effort, the bill aims to defund Russia’s war efforts, bolster American uranium production, and stimulate investments in the country’s nuclear fuel supply chain.
US Senate approves legislation to ban imports of Russian uranium (Credits: Business Standard)
President Joe Biden, who recently signed a foreign aid bill providing substantial assistance to Ukraine, is expected to sign the uranium imports bill into law.
The National Security Council has expressed support for the ban, asserting that it would establish a secure nuclear fuel supply chain independent of adversarial influence, offering assurance to industry stakeholders and international partners.
