U.S. Senators introduce bill to ban U.S. imports of Russian uranium

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U.S. Republican Senators on Thursday introduced a bill to ban U.S. imports of Russian uranium to punish Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine.

The bill comes as the Biden administration has been weighing sanctions on Russian nuclear power company Rosatom, a major supplier of fuel and technology to power plants around the world.

The administration’s ban on U.S. imports of Russian energy, such as oil and liquefied natural gas, does not yet include uranium.

“While banning imports of Russian oil, gas and coal is an important step, it cannot be the last,” said Senator John Barrasso, who introduced the bill.

Barrasso represents Wyoming, a state that could benefit from a revitalization in U.S. uranium mining.

“Banning Russian uranium imports will further defund Russia’s war machine, help revive American uranium production, and increase our national security,” he added.

The United States has over 90 nuclear reactors, more than any other country, and is heavily reliant on imported uranium. Russian uranium made up 16% of U.S. purchases in 2020, according to the Energy Information Administration, with Canada and Kazakhstan each providing 22%.