The US Energy Department has awarded initial contracts to six companies to produce domestic uranium fuel for conventional nuclear plants, aiming to reduce dependence on Russia and circumventing the ban on imports. The move aims to create a safe and responsible build-out of uranium enrichment capacity in the United States.
The government is investigating uranium imports from China, which may be helping Russia evade sanctions. The contracts, worth at least $2 million each, will last up to 10 years and have a total budget of $2.7 billion.
Six companies won the contracts: American Centrifuge Operating, General Matter, Global Laser Enrichment, Urenco’s Louisiana Energy Services, Laser Isotope Separation Technologies, and Orano Federal Services. Four of these companies were previously awarded contracts in October to produce high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) for smaller reactors.
The US aims to increase the enrichment level from 5% to up to 20%, with a focus on producing conventional uranium fuel. The project is part of efforts to reduce reliance on Russia and enhance nuclear energy security.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/us-offers-six-companies-contracts-make-uranium-fuel-nuclear-plants-2024-12-10