The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy, Climate, and Grid Security on Tuesday approved a bill from U.S. Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH) that would expand U.S. nuclear fuel programs.
The bipartisan Nuclear Fuel Security Act of 2023, H.R. 5718, aims to boost domestic uranium mining, production, enrichment, and conversion capacity. Rep. Latta sponsored the legislation in September with original cosponsors, including U.S. Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC) and Troy Balderson (R-OH), among others.
“As a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, I’m committed to advancing policies that embrace an all-of-the-above energy strategy, which includes expanding our nuclear energy capabilities,” Latta said. “Rather than being forced to import mass quantities of uranium fuel from foreign countries to power our domestic nuclear reactors, my Nuclear Fuel Security Act will allow the United States to produce and stockpile our own source of nuclear energy.”
The legislation, if enacted, would create the Nuclear Fuel Security Program to increase the quantity of high-assay, low-enriched uranium (HALEU). And after a market evaluation, it could increase the low-enriched uranium (LEU) produced by U.S. nuclear energy companies, a bill summary provided by the congressman’s office said.
In addition, the bill calls for expanding the American Assured Fuel Supply Program to ensure the availability of domestically produced, converted, and enriched uranium in the event of a supply disruption. It also would create the HALEU for Advanced Nuclear Reactor Demonstration Projects Program to help the Department of Energy meet the needs of advanced nuclear reactor developers, among other provisions.
“I’m pleased to see my legislation advance through the Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Subcommittee because it will help strengthen our nuclear energy capabilities while lowering carbon emissions, creating new jobs, spurring economic growth, and providing for a safer America,” Rep. Latta said.