Bipartisan legislation proposed by U.S. Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH) would establish and expand America’s nuclear fuel programs in efforts to bolster domestic nuclear fuel capabilities and innovation.
“The demand for domestic energy grows day by day, but without further investments in U.S. energy production, we will continue to struggle to meet that demand,” Rep. Latta said. “To mitigate this issue, we should harness the power of nuclear fuel — which is both clean and renewable — to meet the energy needs of the American people.”
The congressman on Sept. 26 sponsored the Nuclear Fuel Security Act of 2023, H.R. 5718, with three original cosponsors, including U.S. Reps. Troy Balderson (R-OH) and Jim Clyburn (D-SC), to require the U.S. Energy Secretary to establish the Nuclear Fuel Security Program and to expand the American Assured Fuel Supply Program.
“Right now, unfortunately, we import 90 percent of the uranium fuel used in our domestic nuclear reactors from foreign countries,” explained Rep. Latta. “To avoid threats to our nuclear supply chain, it’s critical we take action to reinvest in our domestic nuclear energy capabilities — and it begins with shoring up our domestic uranium mining, production, enrichment, and conversion capacity.”
Specifically, H.R. 5718 the Nuclear Fuel Security Program would be established to increase the quantity of high-assay, low-enriched uranium (HALEU) and, if determined to be necessary after completion of a market evaluation, low-enriched uranium produced by U.S. nuclear energy companies, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Latta’s staff.
Additionally, H.R. 5718 would establish the HALEU for Advanced Nuclear Reactor Demonstration Projects Program to maximize the potential for the U.S. Department of Energy to meet the needs and schedules of advanced nuclear reactor developers until such time that commercial enrichment and deconversion capability for HALEU exists in the U.S. at a scale sufficient to meet future needs, the summary says.
The measure also would expand the American Assured Fuel Supply Program to ensure the availability of domestically produced, converted, and enriched uranium in the event of a supply disruption, states the summary.
“The United States has overwhelmingly relied on foreign nations to meet our energy production needs since 1953,” said Rep. Clyburn. “We will not achieve full energy independence or unlock the economic and security benefits that come with it without investing in a strong domestic nuclear industry.”