DOE report strategizes 18 measures to restore US leadership in nuclear energy
A new report from the U.S. Nuclear Fuel Working Group of the Department of Energy envisions a world where the United States is once again at the helm of the world’s nuclear energy if the country follows several avenues to revive uranium capabilities and push forward technologically.
In all, the Restoring America’s Competitive Nuclear Energy Advantage: A Strategy to assure U.S. National Security report recommends 18 measures for positive change, including immediate action to strengthen uranium mining and conversion. Further, it calls for doubling down on U.S. technological innovation and capitalizing on advanced nuclear RD&D investments to consolidate advanced technology under U.S. guidance. It presses a whole-of-government approach for exporting civil nuclear technology to better compete against state-owned industries and ensuring a healthy and expanding nuclear energy sector in the United States.
“The decline of the U.S. industrial base in the front end of the nuclear fuel cycle over the past few decades has threatened our national interest and national security,” Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette said. “This Strategy to Restore American Nuclear Energy Leadership recognizes this challenge and lays out an array of policy options to restore America’s leadership in nuclear energy and technology. As a matter of national security, it is critical that we take bold steps to preserve and grow the entire U.S. nuclear energy enterprise. The Trump Administration is committed to regaining our competitive global position as the world leader in nuclear energy.”
It pushes for efforts that support national security. The DOE noted that the United States has two well-defined future defense needs already within this industry’s hands: low-enriched uranium to produce tritium used in nuclear weapons and highly-enriched uranium needed to fuel Navy nuclear reactors. While these won’t be used until the 2040s and 2050s, in theory, the department is planning.
“Nuclear innovation is how we can assure our national security, energy security, and economic growth while reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” Republican leadership at the House Energy and Commerce Committee said in the wake of the report. “We welcome the release of this strategy to restore American nuclear technological leadership. Strengthening our domestic nuclear industry and its infrastructure will provide economic, environmental, and security benefits for Americans and our allies for decades to come.”
Those views were shared by E&C Committee Ranking Member Greg Walden (R-OR), Energy Subcommittee Ranking Member Fred Upton (R-MI), and Environment and Climate Change Subcommittee Ranking Member John Shimkus (R-IL).
