U.S. Uranium Industry Controlled by Russians?
Americans Need to be Concerned and Write Dept. of Commerce
Energy Fuels has embarked on a key process with the Trump Administration that, if successful, will strengthen U.S. national security and energy security, and revitalize the U.S. uranium industry. Your help is needed.
"In January 2018, Energy Fues submitted a Petition to the U.S. Department of Commerce to have them investigate the impacts of today’s extremely high levels of uranium imports on national security. In July 2018, Commerce initiated the investigation. This is great news for the United States, for the domestic uranium industry and for those associated with that industry.
Commerce also opened a 45-day period in which they would accept public comments to consider in their investigation. Therefore, I hope you will join me in submitting a comment that encourages Commerce and the President to support a healthy domestic uranium industry. Comments can be submitted to DOC in three ways:
(i) Via email at uranium232@bis.doc.gov;
(ii) Through the link https://www.regulations.gov/
(iii) By U.S. mail to Michael Vaccaro, Acting Director, Office of Technology Evaluation, Bureau of Industry and Security, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Room 1093, Washington, DC 20230.
Comment period ends on September 10, 2018.
Submit your comments before then.
As members of this strategic industry, I am certain that The Dept. of Commerce and the President will listen to us. Also, please forward this link to your friends, family, consultants, or anyone else you think would be willing to submit a supportive comment.
We need to work together to generate as many positive comments as possible encouraging Commerce and the President to do the right thing for U.S. national security and energy security."
Possible Talking Points for Letters:
·
The U.S. uranium
mining industry is at risk. Uranium is essential to our national defense,
including providing fuel for the U.S. Navy and representing the backbone of our
nuclear deterrent.
·
Over the past decade, this
key domestic industry has shrunk to the point that U.S. national security is
now threatened.
·
In 2017, U.S. uranium
production fell to near historic lows due in large part to uranium and nuclear
fuel imported from state-subsidized foreign entities.
·
In 2018, U.S.
producers may produce less than 2% of our nation’s needs.
·
Russia and China are
geopolitical rivals of the U.S. with a long record of utilizing their
state-owned energy industries as tools of foreign policy.
·
State-owned
enterprises in Russia, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan are targeting the U.S.
uranium industry, and now fulfill over one-third of U.S. demand.
·
Moreover, Chinese
state-owned entities have announced plans to penetrate the U.S. nuclear market,
threatening to further degrading U.S. energy security and national security.
·
In traditional allies
like Canada and Australia, mines are shutting down and reducing production.
·
Without prompt action,
uranium imports from Russia, China and other geopolitical rivals will increase significantly
in the future.
·
The U.S. uranium
mining industry can compete on a level-playing field with anyone. However, the
anti-competitive practices of state-owned and state-subsidized entities are putting
U.S. producers at an enormous disadvantage.
·
The U.S. generates 20%
of our electricity – and nearly 60% of our clean, zero-carbon electricity –
from nuclear energy.
·
The remedies proposed are
sensible and achievable, a 75% quota on imports and a “buy American policy for
U.S. Government purchases. They will have an impact on foreign entities, but
very little impact on U.S. utilities and their customers.
·
The U.S. uranium
industry has more than enough production capability to increase production and
meet requirements, including a number of permitted and constructed mining and
processing facilities currently in operation or on standby.
·
The Administration can
help create thousands of jobs, including Native American jobs, with good
salaries and benefits, along with increased tax revenues that support rural schools,
hospitals, and other local infrastructure.
