A secure supply of uranium is vital to U.S. national and energy security. In the U.S., 20 percent of the electricity that powers our homes and businesses comes from carbon-free nuclear energy. Uranium, a naturally occurring metallic element found in soil and rock, helps generate that power. Domestic uranium also powers America’s nuclear Navy and supports other defense needs.
The U.S. is the world’s largest consumer of uranium, but a large and growing percentage comes from government-subsidized enterprises owned by our geopolitical adversaries, particularly Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and, increasingly, China.
That’s why America’s two primary uranium mining companies, Energy Fuels and Ur-Energy, encourage President Trump to act now to protect U.S. national and energy security.
In January 2018, the companies filed a Section 232 petition with the Department of Commerce (DOC) seeking an investigation into the impact of uranium imports on national security. DOC initiated the investigation in July 2018 and is expected to make recommendations to President Trump in April 2019. The President will then have 90 days to review the DOC’s recommendations and can use his authority to determine what, if any, action will be taken.
