Energy

As Demand Grows, US Nuclear Energy Industry Faces Looming Crunch in Reactor Fuel Supply

Experts laud $2.7 billion outlay to rebuild nation’s capacity to enrich uranium, but warn it may take a decade for domestic production to meet burgeoning need.
As Demand Grows, US Nuclear Energy Industry Faces Looming Crunch in Reactor Fuel Supply
The Three Mile Island Nuclear Plant is seen in Middletown, Pa., in the early morning hours of March 28, 2011. Jeff Fusco/Getty Images
John Haughey
John Haughey
Reporter
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SEATTLE—The Department of Energy (DOE) has invested billions in incentivizing domestic production of enriched uranium for the commercial development of advanced nuclear reactors, including $2.7 billion issued last month to three companies to build centrifuges and processing plants necessary to produce fuel for reactor cores.

Yet, a fuel crunch that could cobble President Donald Trump’s “nuclear renaissance” initiatives looms as soon as 2028, several experts warned during the two-day U.S. Nuclear Industry Council’s 13th annual Advanced Reactors Summit in Seattle that concluded Feb. 12. 
John Haughey
John Haughey
Reporter
John Haughey is an award-winning Epoch Times reporter who covers U.S. elections, U.S. Congress, energy, defense, and infrastructure. Mr. Haughey has more than 45 years of media experience. You can reach John via email at [email protected]
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