The US Congress passed the act banning Russian uranium imports in May. Credit: Courtesy of Architect of the Capitol.

The US Department of Energy (DOE) has granted US nuclear fuel company Centrus Energy a waiver to import low-enriched uranium (LEU) from Russia in 2024 and 2025.

The DOE authorised the waiver on Thursday (18 July) to help Centrus ensure it keeps its commitment of timely deliveries to US customers.

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“The waiver process is a short-term step to ensure there are no disruptions to the operation of US reactors as a result of the ban. This allows time to build up a strong US capacity to supply the necessary LEU for the domestic market,” the DOE said.

In May, the Biden administration signed the Prohibiting Russian Uranium Imports Act into law, which prohibits US entities from importing Russian unirradiated LEU from 11 August.

However, under the legislation, waivers may be granted to allow the import of limited amounts of LEU, to ensure that short-term production of nuclear fuel in the US is not disrupted. Only the US secretary of energy, in consultation with the secretary of state and the secretary of commerce, can grant the waivers, if they determine that no alternative source of LEU is available or that importing Russian LEU is in the national interest.

While the prohibition on Russian LEU imports will be in place until the end of 2040, waivers will only be available until 1 January 2028, as the US seeks to completely move away from Russian uranium in the long term.

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Centrus has also applied for a second waiver that would allow the importation of LEU from Russia for processing and re-export to Centrus’ foreign customers. It is currently awaiting the DOE’s decision.

The decision regarding Centrus’ waiver for 2026 and 2027 has been deferred.

Although western nations have looked to pivot from Russian energy sources since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, Russia still holds a strong position in the global uranium market. According to GlobalData, Power Technology’s parent company, Russia was the world’s sixth-largest producer of uranium in 2023.

The Prohibiting Russian Uranium Imports Act is the first time formal legislation banning the import of Russian uranium has been implemented.