The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Energy has announced the formation of the Defense Production Act Consortium to bolster the nation’s nuclear fuel supply chain.
Enhancing Domestic Nuclear Fuel Supply
The DOE said Friday the DPA Consortium is being established pursuant to President Trump’s Executive Order titled Reinvigorating the Nuclear Industrial Base. The agency, through the consortium, will pursue voluntary agreements with U.S. companies to boost fuel availability and access to reliable power. The consortium is also intended to reduce dependence on foreign sources for enriched uranium.
The DPA Consortium is designed to leverage voluntary agreements to facilitate consultation among industry experts and create plans that maintain and enhance supply chain capacity across all stages of the nuclear fuel cycle and ensure reactor reliability.
The DOE NE will collaborate with industry partners to identify potential participants and develop near- and long-term goals. The consortium will have its first meeting on Oct. 14.
Comments From DOE Acting Asst. Secretary Mike Goff
“There are major gaps in our nuclear fuel cycle infrastructure that leave the United States heavily dependent on foreign sources of enriched uranium,” said Acting Assistant Energy Secretary Mike Goff. “By leveraging authorities in the Defense Production Act, DOE is able to take swift action to bring all parties to the table to accelerate our path toward a more secure and independent energy future,” Goff added.
