US Looks to Boost Uranium Reserves for Nuclear Power

The Trump administration’s top energy official said the US should look to boost its strategic uranium reserve to buffer against Russian supplies and increase confidence in the long-term prospects of nuclear power generation.

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright’s comments underscore the Trump administration’s plans to promote nuclear energy as the demand for power soars with the electrification of the economy. Russia supplies about a quarter of the enriched uranium needed by America’s fleet of 94 nuclear reactors, which generate about a fifth of US electricity. Turning the tap off too quickly from that source could endanger about 5% of electricity in the absence of alternative suppliers or additional stockpiles.