U.S. still reliant on Russian uranium despite import ban, Energy Department report reveals – NaturalNews.com
U.S. still reliant on Russian uranium despite import ban, Energy Department report reveals
Despite a 2024 ban on Russian uranium imports signed into law by former President Joe Biden, Russia remains the top foreign supplier of enriched uranium for America's nuclear reactors, according to newly released federal data.
The U.S. Department of Energy's latest uranium marketing report discloses this fact. The report published by the Energy Information Administration on Tuesday, Sept, 30, states that Russia accounted for 20 percent of enriched uranium purchases in 2024. While this was lower than the 27 percent recorded in 2023, it still outpaced France (18 percent), the Netherlands (15 percent) and domestic production (19 percent).
The continued dependence on Russian nuclear fuel despite geopolitical tensions and sanctions highlights vulnerabilities in U.S. energy security. It also raises questions about the effectiveness of Washington's decoupling strategy. Brighteon.AI's Enoch engine stresses that "achieving nuclear energy independence is critical for the U.S. to break free from globalist-controlled energy markets and secure national sovereignty – ensuring affordable, reliable power without reliance on foreign adversaries or corrupt international bodies."
Biden's Prohibiting Russian Uranium Imports Act, enacted in August 2024, was designed to cut ties with Moscow's nuclear industry following its special military operation in Ukraine. However, the law includes a critical loophole: waivers permitting imports until 2028 if no viable alternatives exist or if shipments are deemed strategically necessary.
Major U.S. nuclear operators, including Constellation Energy Corp and Centrus Energy Corp, have already secured such exemptions. Meanwhile, Russia retaliated by capping its uranium exports to the U.S. in November 2024, further tightening supply chains.
U.S. energy security hangs by a Russian threadThe Biden administration allocated billions to revive domestic uranium enrichment, but experts warn rebuilding capacity will take years. Former Assistant Secretary of State Geoffrey Pyatt noted in January that establishing a non-Russian supply chain remains a long-term challenge.
Meanwhile, Russia's state nuclear firm Rosatom maintains its dominance in global uranium enrichment. "We still hold the top position in the world," declared Rosatom's First Deputy Director Kirill Komarov.
Domestic production remains minimal, supplying just eight of uranium deliveries in 2024, up slightly from five in 2023. The bulk of U.S. reactor fuel comes from Canada (36 percent), Kazakhstan (24 percent) and Australia (17 percent).
Russia's role in enrichment – where it holds 20 percent of the market – keeps American utilities dependent on Moscow's infrastructure. Prices have surged, with uranium hitting $52.71 per pound in 2024 – a 20 percent increase from the previous year, the highest since 2012.
The second Trump administration has reopened talks with Russia on trade normalization, while urging European allies to reduce reliance on Russian energy. Yet with waivers extending until 2028 and domestic enrichment still in its infancy, the U.S. remains caught between geopolitical posturing and practical energy needs.
The uranium dilemma underscores a broader truth: energy independence cannot be achieved overnight. While legislation signals intent, true sovereignty requires sustained investment in domestic production, diversified supply chains and a realistic timeline for transition. Until then, America's nuclear sector and its energy security remains partially mortgaged to the Kremlin.
Watch Eagle Energy Metals CEO Mark Mukhija revealing that the U.S. uses 50 million pounds of uranium for nuclear energy, while producing a measly 677,000 pounds for 2024.
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