Barrasso Bipartisan Nuclear Fuel Bill Passes Senate

U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Energy, released a statement Friday regarding the Senate passage of the Fission for the Future Act. The legislation, which passed the Senate by a voice vote, will now head to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Barrasso said Americans need abundant, affordable, and reliable energy and expanding nuclear energy is one way to make that happen. The Senator added that Wyoming as the fuel American needs and building a domestic supply of high-assay, low-enriched uranium will enhance energy security and provide greater prosperity for Wyoming families. Barrasso introduced the legislation on April 7. U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Jim Risch (R-ID) are sponsor and cosponsor of the legislation, respectively.

The measure authorizes the Secretary of Energy to partner with American nuclear fuel suppliers to establish a Nuclear Fuel Security Program to ensure commercial availability of domestic fuel for existing and advanced nuclear reactors. It expands the American Assured Fuel Supply Program to create a nuclear fuel reserve sufficient to protect against possible fuel supply disruptions. And it directs DOE to make available high-assay, low-enriched uranium (HALEU) from its stockpiles until a domestic commercial supply is available.