The United States has announced a time frame for reducing dependence on Russian uranium

It will take the US 3-4 years to build new capacity to reduce its dependence on Russian enriched uranium supplies. This was stated by Assistant to the Head of the Ministry of Energy (Ministry of Energy) Katherine Huff, her words are quoted by Reuters.

She emphasized that the United States has a number of allies and partners who, if necessary, will assist Washington in reducing dependence on the import of enriched uranium from Russia. She included Canada, France and Japan among them. In addition, a ban on the supply of this type of fuel from Russia will allow the US authorities to unlock $2.7 billion to create the necessary infrastructure.

These funds were included in previous legislation to develop the nuclear industry in the United States. After the official ban on the supply of Russian uranium to the United States comes into force, this money can be used to build new capacities, Huff explained. “A paired structure where we invest in new conversion and enrichment capacity and then protect that investment with some import restrictions is what is required,” she concluded.

Enriched uranium is used as fuel for nuclear reactors. Different purposes require different concentrations of uranium-235 in the fuel. For example, an enrichment of 3-5 percent is sufficient for a power nuclear reactor, up to 20 percent for research reactors, and 90 percent for weapons-grade uranium.

A bill banning the import of Russian enriched uranium was approved in the US Senate on the night of May 1, Moscow time. Prior to this, it was approved by the House of Representatives of Congress. The document allows the country’s authorities to purchase enriched uranium from Russia until January 2028. For it to officially come into force, the bill must be signed by United States President Joe Biden.