Syracuse Sun

Last Friday, Congressman Brandon Williams (R-NY) introduced H.R. 8674, the Milestones for Advanced Nuclear Fuel Act, co-led by Congressman Eric Sorensen (D-IL).

In 2022, Russia supplied 20% of the American reactor fleet’s nuclear fuel and currently controls nearly half of the world’s global uranium conversion infrastructure. Comparatively, the United States controls a small share of the nuclear supply chain, with one milling facility, one conversion facility, two enrichment facilities, three main fuel fabrication facilities, and no recycling facilities. As the war in Ukraine continues, this asymmetry has become increasingly concerning.

This legislation would direct the use of a milestone-based framework for developing and demonstrating nuclear fuel projects under the Nuclear Fuel Security Act of 2023 and DOE’s Fuel Cycle Research and Development program. Milestone-based frameworks tie future funding to demonstrated technical and financial success, thereby accelerating innovative technology development and protecting taxpayers from waste.

Through a competitive process, the DOE will award grants for milestone-based projects across the domestic supply chain that prioritize novel technologies and processes. Experts from the private sector, investment community, and nuclear fuel supply chain will evaluate proposals and assist in establishing specific milestones.

“Nuclear energy is national security, and we must not continue relying on our adversaries to meet our needs in such a crucial sector. As we seek to bolster our supply chain, these milestone-based frameworks will incentivize innovation and minimize wasteful spending. I’m grateful to Representative Sorensen for his role in introducing this common-sense legislation, and I hope that we can pass this soon,” said Congressman Brandon Williams.

“For too long, the United States has relied on foreign nations like Russia for uranium to keep our nuclear power plants running, powering our homes, businesses, and so much more. But the truth is we have the ability right now to develop new technologies to reduce our dependence on uranium from foreign nations. This critical legislation directs the Department of Energy to support nuclear fuel projects right here at home,” said Congressman Eric Sorensen.

The full bill is available here.

A fact sheet is available here.