Foster Leads Call to Research Low-Enriched Uranium, Reduce Risk of Nuclear Proliferation

Washington, DC – Today, Representative Bill Foster (D-IL) announced that he led Representatives Don Beyer (D-VA) and Rick Larsen (D-WA), and Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) in requesting a report to Congress regarding the government’s ongoing naval fuel research and development of low-enriched uranium-fueled reactors for submarines. Bolstering research into low-enriched uranium (LEU) will help minimize the use of nuclear weapons-grade highly enriched uranium (HEU) where non-essential.

In a letter to National Nuclear Security Administrator Jill Hruby and Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro, the Members wrote: 

“Reports from both the Naval Reactors office and JASON indicate that it may be feasible for the Navy to use LEU fuel for naval nuclear propulsion, as France and China already do. To support this R&D effort, the FY2023 NDAA signed by President Biden includes an authorization of $20 million for Nuclear Fuels Development in NNSA’s Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation R&D [...]

“Minimizing the global presence of HEU by reducing its use in military applications would reduce the risks associated with making and transporting HEU and demonstrate significant leadership on nonproliferation. It is more important than ever to promote the safe, secure, and peaceful use of nuclear technologies.”

A copy of the letter can be found here.

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