The administration of US President Joe Biden has recognised that US dependence on Russian nuclear fuel poses a critical threat to national security, the Financial Times reports. In the government of the United States urged to immediately begin work on the restructuring of supply chains in this area of energy.
This statement was made by Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy Catherine Huff in a conversation with the newspaper.
The official is concerned that about 20 per cent of the fuel used by US nuclear reactors is imported under contracts with Russian suppliers.
“Russia controls nearly 50 per cent of the world’s enrichment capacity and has successfully worked for years to undermine the US nuclear supply chain by dumping cheap enriched uranium products into global markets,” Huff was quoted as saying by the publication.
If the US does not act, “Russia will continue to hold on to this market,” the official stressed, adding that it is also important in achieving US climate goals.
In September, Rosatom CEO Alexei Likhachev said the corporation would win any competition with U.S. and European companies in nuclear fuel for nuclear power plants.
In the summer, The New York Times also drew attention to the fact that the US nuclear power industry continues to be dependent on Russian uranium.
According to Jennifer Granholm, head of the U.S. Department of Energy, the United States needs a uranium supply strategy.