Us Bans Imports Of Russian Uranium For Nuclear Fuel 

President Biden late Monday signed a bipartisan bill that bans U.S. imports of Russian uranium for use in nuclear fuel. 

In a written statement, national security advisor Jake Sullivan said that the move both “reestablishes America’s leadership in the nuclear sector” and also “delivers on multilateral goals” the U.S. set with its allies. 

The legislation makes it illegal to import low-enriched uranium, which is used in nuclear fuel, 90 days after its enactment.

The majority of uranium that powers U.S. nuclear plants is imported, and about 12 percent of those imports came from Russia in 2022. 

But the measure to ban those imports had widespread support in Congress.

“Banning imports of Russian uranium will jumpstart America’s nuclear fuel industry, further defund Russia’s war machine, and help revive American uranium production for decades to come. ” said Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), in a written statement. 

“As our nation’s leading uranium producer, Wyoming is ready to do our part to power American reactors with American nuclear fuel,” he added. 

In the wake of Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the U.S. also banned imports of Russian oil, gas and coal, and has sought to put a cap on how much Moscow can sell oil for around the world.