WASHINGTON D.C. The following statement in response to the successful Senate vote on the supplemental appropriations package, including funding for domestic development of high-assay, low-enriched uranium (HALEU), may be attributed to Nuclear Innovation Alliance Executive Director Judi Greenwald:
“Ensuring a reliable and robust commercial supply of high-assay, low-enriched uranium (HALEU) fuel is critical to the successful commercialization and deployment of clean, reliable advanced nuclear energy. Currently, dependence on Russia for HALEU poses significant risks to our energy independence and ability to decarbonize with advanced nuclear energy. By investing in domestic HALEU production, we not only mitigate these risks but also pave the way to meet mid-century climate goals and ensure American leadership in the global nuclear power sector.
“Federal funding plays a crucial role in catalyzing domestic HALEU production, providing the necessary resources to establish and sustain a privately led and government enabled domestic HALEU market. As summarized in NIA’s brief, and elaborated in NIA’s recent report “Characterizing an Emerging Market for High-Assay, Low-Enriched Uranium Production”, private investments in new HALEU enrichment or deconversion infrastructure will not be supported by existing markets. Additional federal funding of up to $2.9 billion must be guaranteed over a substantial period of time to catalyze private capital investment in a sustainable domestic commercial HALEU market.
“Federal support for domestic HALEU production will accelerate the deployment of new infrastructure, increase our ability to meet future energy demands with domestic nuclear fuel production, and capitalize on the climate and economic benefits of advanced nuclear energy. It's imperative that the 118th Congress prioritizes funding for HALEU production, regardless of the specific legislative vehicle, to secure our energy future, drive innovation, and strengthen our position in the global nuclear sector.”
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About NIA: The Nuclear Innovation Alliance (NIA) is a non-profit think-and-do-tank working to enable nuclear power as a global solution to mitigate climate change. Through policy analysis, research, and education, we are catalyzing the next era of nuclear energy. Our organization is funded primarily through charitable grants and philanthropic donations from climate-concerned individuals and organizations.