Why the US needs Russian uranium

Why the US needs Russian uranium

The blade glides smoothly as the paper and plastic crinkle in the background, accompanied by upbeat music. - [Woman] Matt, what is the reason behind having a piece of uranium ore in the studio? - It's simply because it's fascinating. It has a mysterious allure to it, and it was omitted from a significant list that made headlines. - Today, I am making an announcement regarding the prohibition of Russian oil, gas, and energy imports. - The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has shed light on a lesser-known issue in the nuclear fuel supply chain, which could have significant implications for the future of nuclear power in the United States. (counter clicks) (upbeat music) In light of the Ukraine crisis, the U.S. and other nations have imposed sanctions on Russia, targeting energy resources such as oil and gas, but not uranium. - Russia plays a crucial role in the global nuclear energy sector, especially in terms of the uranium supply chain. - Justine Calma is a.
The U.S. has the ability to easily distance itself from Russian oil and gas, but has struggled to do the same with uranium due to our significant reliance on Russia for this resource. Uranium is a popular nuclear fuel because its isotope, U-235, can be easily split during fission, resulting in the release of a large amount of energy. Despite the ongoing debate surrounding nuclear power, it still accounts for approximately half of the carbon-free electricity generated in the U.S. The Biden administration is currently making substantial investments in nuclear energy in order to achieve the country's climate objectives, which is why uranium is a topic of discussion. When discussing nuclear power, it all begins with uranium ore, which is radioactive in nature. This is why we are wearing protective gloves. We have consulted with experts on the proper handling of this material and are taking all necessary precautions, but it is important to note that this should not be attempted at home. The majority of uranium ore, like the sample shown here, contains very little uranium. Low-grade uranium ore typically only contains around 0.1% uranium, with the remainder consisting of ordinary rock along with elements such as lead, thorium, and others.Bismuth is slowly decaying into uranium, but it's actually the daughter products that are setting off our Geiger counter. We require a more sensitive device to detect the uranium. Somewhere in this sample, there is a small amount of uraninite, a mineral rich in uranium, which is essentially a concentrated form of uranium. This mineral is just one of many that contain uranium, but most of the uranium in these minerals is not suitable for fuel. Naturally occurring uranium has very low levels of U-235. The bottom line is that a large amount of uranium ore is needed to produce a small amount of fuel, and a significant amount of effort is required to make this happen. To be used as nuclear fuel, uranium must undergo a conversion and enrichment process, which involves packing a large amount of U-235 into a small space.Uranium must be mined, processed into yellow cake, converted into a gas, enriched to increase U-235 concentrations, and then fabricated into fuel rods. This complex process is outsourced to a few countries such as France, Russia, and China. However, there are security concerns throughout the supply chain, as enriched uranium can be used for both nuclear energy and weapons. With the growing demand for nuclear power, the supply chain is under scrutiny, especially in light of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and its impact on U.S.-Russia relations.One possible solution to the issue at hand could be the establishment of a strategic uranium reserve. This reserve would essentially consist of a stockpile of uranium intended to supply our power plants in case of emergencies. For instance, if the ongoing war persists, we could potentially tap into our strategic uranium reserve. The conflict also poses a threat to the development of next-generation nuclear reactors. While most current plants operate on fuel enriched to 5% of U-235, newer reactors under development require levels as high as 20%. The increased concentration of U-235 in the fuel enhances efficiency, enabling the construction of smaller reactors compared to the large-scale ones in operation today. By reducing the size of reactors, we can also reduce costs, which have been a major obstacle to the expansion of nuclear energy. Presently, Russia is the sole country capable of commercially producing this advanced fuel. However, the U.S. is in the process of establishing its own production facility to address this challenge.The development of NextGen fuel is underway, but significant time will be required to make a substantial impact on American uranium independence. As efforts are made to accumulate and enrich uranium, some suggest that the United States should also resume mining operations, despite its checkered history. Between the 1940s and 1980s, mining companies extracted large quantities of uranium ore in the Western U.S., leading to long-lasting environmental consequences that the EPA is still working to address. Numerous indigenous communities oppose the resumption of mining activities on or near their territories, which remain contaminated with hazardous waste. For instance, the Navajo Nation is dealing with the aftermath of hundreds of uranium mines that have been linked to severe health issues, including cancer, due to water contamination and other legacies of past mining operations. The challenges associated with nuclear power extend beyond mining, encompassing the storage of radioactive waste and the risk of meltdowns, underscoring the high stakes involved. The Biden administration has recently outlined a target of achieving 100% carbon-free energy by 2035, with nuclear power being a key component of this objective. Consequently, the ongoing debate surrounding nuclear power is likely to become more intense as these issues are addressed. It is undeniable that climate change poses a critical global crisis that demands immediate action.The current crisis we are facing is leading to significant debates on how to address it, with nuclear energy being a key point of contention. Advocates for nuclear energy argue that beggars can't be choosers - we need carbon-free energy, and nuclear energy provides a viable option despite its imperfections. The debate surrounding this issue is unlikely to be resolved in the near future, so it seems we will have to rely on nuclear energy for the time being. Can I wash my hands now? You guessed it, Russia.