US House recently banned uranium imports from Russia

• The legislation includes waivers, allowing for exceptions in cases where there are concerns about the domestic supply for reactors.
• For the bill to become law, it must go through the Senate approval process and be signed by the President.
• The House bill outlines a ban on Russian uranium imports 90 days after passing a law. 

In a move to exert pressure on Moscow for its actions in the Ukraine conflict, the US House of Representatives has passed a bill prohibiting the import of Russian uranium.

The legislation includes waivers, allowing for exceptions in cases where there are concerns about the domestic supply for reactors.

For the bill to become law, it must go through the Senate approval process and be signed by the President.

The timeline for Senate consideration is uncertain, and there’s uncertainty about whether there will be enough time for a vote this year.

The House bill, passed through a voice vote after suspending the usual voting rules, outlines a ban on Russian uranium imports 90 days after enactment, with waivers permitting the import of low-enriched uranium from Russia under certain conditions.

These conditions include a determination by the US energy secretary that there is no alternative source available for nuclear reactor operation or for a US nuclear energy company.

Waivers may also be granted if the shipments are deemed to be in the national interest.

“The risks of continuing this dependence on Russia for our nuclear fuels are simply too great,” said Republican Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers before the vote. “It’s weakening America’s nuclear fuel infrastructure, which has declined significantly because of reliance on these cheap fuels.”

After Russia invaded Ukraine last year, the United States prohibited the import of Russian oil and, along with other Western nations, imposed a price cap on sea-borne exports of Russian crude and oil products. However, imports of Russian uranium were not banned.

The bill, if passed into law, would gradually reduce allowed imports of Russian uranium under the waiver, reaching 459 metric tons in 2027 from approximately 476.5 tons in 2024. This move reflects an effort to diminish reliance on Russian uranium and diversify sources for the country’s nuclear energy needs.

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