Senate environment panel chief backs probe into uranium imports
18/01/2018 16:29
WASHINGTON, Jan 18 (Reuters) - The chair of the Senate's
Environment and Natural Resources Committee said on Thursday he
wants the Commerce Department to investigate the impacts of
uranium imports from Russia and central Asia on national
security, backing a request from two U.S. uranium mining firms
who filed the petition.
"America's ability to produce uranium is crucial to power
our economy and keep our nation safe," said Republican Senator
John Barrasso of Wyoming, chair of the panel. "The Trump
administration needs to expedite this investigation and take
action to preserve this vital industry."
On Tuesday, Energy Fuels UUUU.A and Ur-Energy URG.A
filed what is called a 232 petition to the Commerce Department,
asking its secretary Wilbur Ross to investigate the effects of
uranium imports on national security and for President Donald
Trump to use his authority to "adjust imports to ensure the
long-term viability of the U.S. uranium mining industry."
The petition comes over a month after the Interior
Department reduced the size of two Utah national monuments -
Grand Staircase Escalante and Bears Ears - the latter of which
has uranium deposits.
Energy Fuels submitted a comment to the Interior Department
during its months-long review of national monuments, saying that
the Bears Ears designated borders had abutted its existing
uranium mines and processing facilities, and that it also
contained "many other known uranium and vanadium deposits."
In their petition, the companies pointed out that imports of
uranium from state-owned enterprises in Russia, Kazakhstan, and
Uzbekistan account for 40 percent of U.S. demand, while domestic
production fulfills less than 5 percent.
The Commerce Department declined to comment on the petition
but if it does launch an investigation, the secretary has 270
days to prepare a report to the president and the president
would then have 90 days to act on the secretary's
recommendations.
Wyoming, Barrasso's home state, is responsible for half of
U.S. uranium production.
(Reporting By Valerie Volcovici; Editing by Susan Thomas)
((valerie.volcovici@thomsonreuters.com; +1)(202)(898 8373;
Reuters Messaging:
valerie.volcovici.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))
Keywords: USA TRADE/URANIUM