US commercial nuclear reactors relied almost entirely on foreign uranium in 2023, according to the US Energy Information Administration. Generators used 32 million pounds of imported uranium concentrate, known as U3O8, and only 0.05 million pounds of domestically produced material. Imports accounted for 99% of the U3O8 used to make nuclear fuel that year.

EIA's data shows the United States imported uranium concentrate and equivalents primarily from Canada, Australia, Russia, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Domestic production remains small. In the third quarter of 2024, US producers turned out 121,296 pounds of U3O8, a 24% increase from 97,709 pounds in the second quarter. The output came from five facilities, three in Wyoming (Nichols Ranch, Lost Creek and Smith Ranch-Highland) and two in Texas (Alta Mesa and Rosita).

U3O8 is extracted from mined and milled uranium ore. The powder is packaged in steel drums and later enriched and processed further into fuel for reactors. Foreign producers predominantly supply the front end of the US nuclear fuel cycle.

Federal policy has shifted since those figures were recorded. In May 2024, the United States banned imports of uranium products from Russia beginning in August, although companies can apply for waivers through January 1, 2028. The Department of Energy received $2.7 billion in congressional funding to help revive domestic fuel production for commercial nuclear power plants.

EIA notes the origin of uranium used in US reactors could change in the coming years as these policies take effect. The agency publishes the underlying figures in its Domestic Uranium Production Report and Uranium Marketing Annual Report.

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration - https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=64444