Security threat: US nuclear weapons and energy depend on uranium supplies from Russia

The administration of Donald Trump distinguished themselves in their “energy dominance” policy with regard to oil and natural gas production, but in terms of domestic uranium mining, which is used for nuclear power and for national defense purposes, the United States is almost completely dependent on Russia and the countries of the former Soviet Union . Edition Fox News painted than fraught.

Фото: Depositphotos

The United States has become very dependent on uranium supplied by foreign countries. Despite the fact that the country has the largest commercial fleet of nuclear reactors, the domestic mining industry can provide less than two percent of US needs for uranium. Everything else comes from other countries, including 40 percent of US uranium imports from Russia and other countries of the former Soviet Union.

According to forecasts, in 2019, the amount of uranium mined in the United States will be insufficient to support the operation of one of the 98 operating reactors in the country, and this does not take into account the need for uranium in the defense industry.

The US nuclear industry has declined due to excessive multi-year imports. As a result, almost complete dependence on imports from regions with geopolitical risks, which is contrary to US interests.

Russia and other countries of the former USSR increased their exports of uranium by more than 110 million pounds (about 50 thousand tons) from 2010 of the year. This increase alone is more than enough to provide for the entire US reactor park for more than two years. Against this increase in supply, market prices for uranium fell by more than 60 percent over the same period. Meanwhile, the weakening of prices forced the American uranium mining company to reduce mining operations and uranium production by more than 70 percent.

America’s excessive trust in imported uranium makes the country seriously vulnerable. For example, the State Duma of Russia passed a law allowing Putin to stop supplying nuclear fuel to the United States and its allies at any time when it deems it appropriate. However, the US continues to rely on state-owned companies in Russia and the former USSR, which provides a significant portion of the country's electricity. This is a serious problem of national security.

While some believe that the US can rely on its allies, such as Canada, this issue needs to be carefully examined. In Canada, the world's largest uranium mine had to be mothballed indefinitely due to the price of uranium. So supplies from the former USSR also affect the US allies.

Some argue that there are no uranium resources in the United States. But it is not. The US Geological Survey report shows that American uranium deposits are extensive and have over a billion pounds of guaranteed resources and more than 3 billion pounds of potential resources. Overall, this represents more than 300 years of supply with an 25-percent quota. And if the industry can get on its feet and resume normal exploration activities, these resources are likely to expand further.

It was also argued that the introduction of funds with a quota requiring American utilities to buy 25 percent of uranium from American uranium mining companies would make nuclear power plants unprofitable. It was argued that this would lead to the shutdown of nuclear power plants and the loss of thousands of jobs. However, the facts do not confirm these terrible predictions. The estimated 25-percent quota cost should not exceed 11 cents, with an average electricity bill in 110 dollars.

America is already achieving "energy domination" with record-breaking oil and gas production, overcoming years of years of excessive dependence on foreign oil. It is time for Washington to recognize the country's current excessive dependence on foreign uranium and take measures to strengthen America’s energy and national security.

Recall that the US House of Representatives approved bill against the construction of the Russian gas pipeline "Nord Stream-2", in which the United States sees a threat to the energy independence of Europe

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