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Today, U.S. Representatives Bob Latta (R-OH5) and Jim Clyburn (D-SC6) re-introduced the Nuclear Fuel Security Act to establish and expand critical U.S. nuclear fuel programs to boost domestic uranium mining, production, enrichment, and conversion capacity.

“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,” 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. Right now, unfortunately, we import 90 percent of the uranium fuel used in our domestic nuclear reactors from foreign countries. 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. That’s why I’m pleased to re-introduce the bipartisan Nuclear Fuel Security Act with Congressman Clyburn which will strengthen our nuclear energy capabilities, create new jobs, and grow our economy.”   

“The United States has overwhelmingly relied on foreign nations to meet our energy production needs since 1953,” Assistant Democratic Leader James E. Clyburn said. “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. Strengthening our ability to produce nuclear fuel on American soil will reduce our reliance on Russia and bring us one step closer towards detangling our web of energy dependence in an ever-changing world.”

Background on the Nuclear Fuel Security Act:

This legislation would authorize the Secretary of Energy to: 

• establish the Nuclear Fuel Security Program 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 (LEU) produced by U.S. nuclear energy companies,
• 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, and
• establish the HALEU for Advanced Nuclear Reactor Demonstration Projects Program to maximize the potential for DOE 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 and, where practicable, partner with countries that are allies or partners of the U.S. to meet those needs and schedules until that time. 

Latta previously introduced the Nuclear Fuel Security Act as the House companion to legislation introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senators Barrasso, Manchin, and Risch. The version of the legislation Latta introduced today reflects feedback received from the energy industry, and in July, the Subcommittee on Energy, Climate, and Grid Security held a legislative hearing to discuss Latta’s updated version.

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