U.S. lacks uranium to meet its nuclear ambitions Image By EPN Staff Key Points The U.S. relies almost entirely on imported uranium, and a looming 2028 ban on Russian nuclear fuel could leave a multi-year supply gap even with DOE waivers. Tech companies and policymakers are betting on a “nuclear renaissance” to power data centers and cut emissions, but limited enrichment capacity (only one U.S. facility) threatens that vision. Congress has allocated $3.4 billion and picked six firms to expand enrichment, but experts say it could take six to seven years to replace Russian imports; meanwhile, major foreign suppliers like Kazakhstan and Canada are signaling production cuts. There are warning signs of a nuclear fuel shortage as the reactor industry gears back up in the United States to meet growing electricity demand. And since the U.S. relies almost entirely on imported uranium, a looming ban on Russian fuel complicates the situation. Altogether a steady supply of uranium may turn out to be the limiting factor in a nuclear renaissance driven by a tech sector eager for consistent, emissions-free power, congressional support for nuclear and regulatory reforms from President Donald Trump’s administration meant to speed the industry along. “There is not enough enriched uranium in the world to make up for the amount of exports the U.S. relies on from Russia, as well as the import cuts made by the European Union following Russia's invasion of Ukraine,” Fox Business reported in March. Why it matters Though solar energy, battery storage and natural gas generation have dominated energy growth in recent years, tech companies and others have staked some of their plans to power data centers on new or re-activated nuclear facilities. There is only one commercial uranium enrichment facility to fuel them in the United States, located in New Mexico, and its production has decreased since 2018. The United States was once the world leader in producing nuclear fuel. Government-run enrichment plants generated more than enough to fuel the nation’s reactors, according to E&E, but after the Soviet Union's collapse, the country began to rely on Russian production. U.S. reactor construction also slowed: The country has more than 90 commercial reactors running today – the largest fleet in the world – but their average age is more than 40 years, and only two new reactors have come online since 2016. That may change significantly: The United States under President Joe Biden was part of an international agreement to triple global nuclear capacity by 2050, and Trump has been full-throated in his support for nuclear power. The bigger picture Congress passed a ban on Russian imports last year, though the law allows for waivers from the Department of Energy that may keep uranium flowing until 2028. Also last year Congress allocated $3.4 billion to expand U.S. enrichment capacity, and in December the Trump administration picked six companies to produce domestic fuel. But even with a federally funded push, these things take time. Dan Leistikow, Vice President of Corporate Communications for the U.S. nuclear power company Centrus, told FOX Business in March that it will likely take six or seven years to replace Russian imports. If the ban goes into effect by 2028, as current law dictates, that leaves a gap of several years. Additional details There are other signs of headwinds: Even with demand set to increase, some international companies say they can’t justify the capital expenditures it takes to spin up new production. Kazatomprom, Kazakhstan’s national atomic company, recently announced plans to cut its uranium production by 10% next year. Canadian uranium supplier Cameco said delays at its mine in Saskatchewan would likely hurt its 2025 production levels. SUGGESTED STORIES When it comes to nuclear, the U.S. is No. 1 – for now Even though only two new nuclear facilities have come online in the United States since 1996, the country operates the world’s largest nuclear fleet, according to the Energy Information Administration. The country has 94 reactors with a total net generating capacity of nearly 97 gig Read more Domestic uranium production gets a boost in the Southwest The transport of uranium ore from a northern Arizona mine to a southern Utah refining plant has resumed via tribal lands following months of negotiations, providing a pathway for the U.S. to increase domestic uranium production. The agreement allows for up to 10 trucks to haul ore d Read more The public-private promise of nuclear energy As South Carolina lawmakers convene this month for the first regular session of the 126th South Carolina General Assembly, the state’s energy future takes center stage. Meeting the demands of residential and industrial growth will be a key legislative priority, and the discussion around en Read more
When it comes to nuclear, the U.S. is No. 1 – for now Even though only two new nuclear facilities have come online in the United States since 1996, the country operates the world’s largest nuclear fleet, according to the Energy Information Administration. The country has 94 reactors with a total net generating capacity of nearly 97 gig Read more
Domestic uranium production gets a boost in the Southwest The transport of uranium ore from a northern Arizona mine to a southern Utah refining plant has resumed via tribal lands following months of negotiations, providing a pathway for the U.S. to increase domestic uranium production. The agreement allows for up to 10 trucks to haul ore d Read more
The public-private promise of nuclear energy As South Carolina lawmakers convene this month for the first regular session of the 126th South Carolina General Assembly, the state’s energy future takes center stage. Meeting the demands of residential and industrial growth will be a key legislative priority, and the discussion around en Read more
