U.S. looking to ban enriched uranium imports from Russia
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The Biden administration is considering banning the import of enriched uranium from Russia until Congress passes the corresponding legislation, Bloomberg reported.
Representatives from the National Security Council, the Department of Energy, and other agencies have discussed this issue, though no decision has yet been made.
Both the Biden administration and the nuclear industry prefer the ban to be approved at the legislative level, as repealing a law is more complicated than executive orders.
Read also: Russia’s grip on nuclear energy and associated risks
The U.S. imports about $1 billion worth of enriched uranium from Russia every year - nearly a quarter of the total, the U.S. Energy Department said.
The White House has expressed concern that reliance on Russian uranium could threaten the U.S. economy and replacing Russian uranium could increase fuel costs by up to 20%.
The bill banning uranium imports, which provides for a postponement until 2028, was passed by the House of Representatives in December 2023, but its consideration was blocked in the Senate by Republican Ted Cruz of Texas.
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Administrative measures are possible, said U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, though it would be better to act through Congress as there are concerns about the long-term consequences of the situation.
Read also: UK continues to import Russian oil despite official ban
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