On April 30, the United States Senate unanimously passed the Prohibiting Russian Uranium Exports Act.
This legislative action represents a pivotal step in the ongoing efforts to impose sanctions on Russia following the commencement of Moscow's special military operation in Ukraine in February 2022.
The bill is poised to become law once President Joe Biden approves it. Its passage with bipartisan support underscores the widespread consensus within the U.S. government regarding the need to address Russian aggression.
The Prohibiting Russian Uranium Imports Act is designed to halt imports of enriched uranium from Russia until 2040. This measure aims to sever financial ties between Russia and the U.S., as proceeds from uranium exports reportedly provide Moscow with an estimated $1 billion in income annually.
By cutting off this revenue stream, the U.S. seeks to undermine Russia's ability to sustain its military operations and fund its war efforts in Ukraine. (Related: U.S. seeks to reduce its heavy reliance on Russian uranium for nuclear power.)
While the legislation imposes a blanket ban on Russian uranium imports, it includes clauses that provide the U.S. with limited exceptions to the ban. For example, the Department of Energy may issue temporary waivers under specific circumstances, such as in the case of an anti-dumping agreement between Washington and Moscow.
These waivers are intended to provide flexibility while ensuring that the ban remains effective in its overarching goal of curbing Russian influence in the nuclear fuel market.
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Notably, the inclusion of nuclear fuel in the list of sanctioned products represents a significant escalation in the economic pressure exerted on Russia. It underscores the severity of the situation and reflects the United States' commitment to employing a range of measures to hold Russia accountable for its actions.
As tensions persist between Russia and Ukraine, the passage of this legislation underscores the resolve of the U.S. government to stand firm in support of Ukraine and to push back against Russian aggression on multiple fronts.
Biden considering passing executive order banning Russian uranium
The Senate's Prohibiting Russian Uranium Imports Act follows up on a similar bill banning the importation of Russian nuclear fuel that was passed by the House of Representatives in December but languished in the Senate immediately after its passage.
Congress' bill now awaits the signature of President Joe Biden. His administration is reportedly still weighing the broad ban on enriched uranium from Russia. But earlier reports did indicate that the president was willing to use his executive authority to prevent enriched uranium imports from Russia from making their way into the U.S., in a move meant to circumvent possible gridlock in Congress.
The possible executive order was being crafted with help from the Department of Energy and the National Security Council, and it would have created a wide ban on enriched uranium with waivers that would allow for continued importation of fuel until 2028. While executive orders carry significant legal weight, Congress retains the ability to pass legislation that could supersede such orders.
Both the Biden administration and stakeholders within the nuclear industry prefer congressional action to address the issue through legislation.
Russia currently stands as the primary foreign supplier of enriched uranium to the U.S., providing nearly a quarter of the fuel used in American nuclear reactors.
Last year alone, the U.S. imported a record-high $1.2 billion worth of Russian uranium, marking a substantial increase in annual uranium shipments.
Given the national security implications, the White House has underscored the importance of developing domestic uranium enrichment capabilities.
Earlier this year, Congress allocated $2.7 billion for this purpose, with the Biden administration advocating for a concurrent long-term ban on Russian fuel imports. Despite possessing its own uranium reserves, the U.S.'s domestic resources are insufficient to meet the demands of the country's nuclear power sector.
In contrast, Russia boasts the world's largest uranium enrichment complex, accounting for nearly half of the global capacity.
Experts estimate that it would require at least five years of substantial investment for the U.S. to reduce its dependence on Russian uranium imports.
Watch this short statement from Russian State Nuclear Energy Corporation General Director Alexey Likhachev bragging about how Russia now has the world's second-largest supply of uranium.
This video is from the channel Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth on Brighteon.com.
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