Press Releases

WASHINGTON - Last week, Representatives Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio), Elaine Luria (D-Va.), Bill Johnson (R-Ohio), Anthony Gonzalez (R-Ohio), and Senators Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) wrote to the Biden administration expressing concern regarding the supply chain of advanced uranium fuels in the United States. The Russian Federation is a significant global supplier of high-assay, low enriched uranium (HALEU), a key component of next-generation nuclear fuels that will supply the U.S.’s advanced reactors in the years to come. In the wake Russia’s unjustified and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, this letter expresses concern about relying on Russia for advanced nuclear fuels and encourages the administration to prioritize investment in Department of Energy (DOE) programs that support the availability of HALEU.  

You can read the full letter here.

"One of my key concerns as a Member of Congress is ensuring that the U.S. has secure, reliable supply chains, especially for products that are critical to our national security," said Congressman Wenstrup. "Ever since I came to Congress, I have worked to secure a fully domestic uranium enrichment capability that will supply both our nation’s national security needs as well as provide for our energy security. HALEU will play a critical role in the development of advanced nuclear reactors, and we must ensure that the U.S. has as a strong domestic supply."

"Advanced nuclear energy is a key to combatting climate change and improving energy resiliency. However, we cannot rely on Russia to provide the U.S. with high assay, low enriched uranium--the fuel needed to power our advanced reactors," said Congresswoman Luria. "The Administration must commit to providing significant resources to the Advanced Nuclear Fuel Availability Program, which will ensure America’s energy independence and strengthen our national security."

"The importance of a diverse and domestically-sourced energy mix for our nation cannot be overstated: energy security is national security.  Advanced nuclear fuels will play a central role in powering next generation nuclear technologies.  It is concerning that Russia is currently the only country capable of producing commercial supplies of high-assay, low enriched uranium (HALEU) – we cannot rely on Russia for this fuel,” said Senator Portman. "The only licensed facility in the U.S. to produce HALEU is located in Piketon, Ohio.  I have long supported this effort, which is just another example of how Ohio will continue to be a key player in powering our nation, both today and into the future.”

"High-assay, low enriched uranium (HALEU) is a critical component in our nuclear power industry, and right now, the only commercial source is a Russian state-owned company. That is why I have long-supported the American Centrifuge Project, so we can secure our ability to produce HALEU in Pike County, Ohio, while creating good-paying jobs,” said Senator Brown.

Background:

• HALEU is a type of enriched uranium that is enriched to between 5 and 19.75 percent concentration of  the fissile uranium-235 isotope. It occupies a middle ground between low-enriched uranium (enriched up to 5 percent U-235 and used in the U.S. power reactor fleet today) and high-enriched uranium (enriched above 20 percent U-235, used in nuclear weapons and to power the nuclear navy).
• According to the American Nuclear Society, Currently, Russia’s state-owned nuclear energy corporation is the only company capable of producing a commercial supply of HALEU.
• 9 out of the 10 awardees in the Department of Energy’s Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program utilize HALEU-based fuel.
• The Energy Act of 2020 required the DOE’s Office of Nuclear Energy to establish a supply of HALEU in anticipation of advanced nuclear reactor needs, through a program called the Advanced Nuclear Fuel Availability Program.
• In Fiscal Year 2022, Congress provided $45 million for HALEU through this Advanced Nuclear Fuel Availability Program.
• In 2019, DOE awarded a 3-year $115 million contract with Centrus Energy to develop a HALEU demonstration production line at the American Centri­fuge Plant in Piketon, Ohio.
• In June 2021, Centrus received a license from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, making it the only U.S. facility licensed to enrich uranium up to 20 percent uranium-235.

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