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The Russian Suspension Agreement Extension Act of 2020 will enhance America’s energy and national security. 


WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators John Barrasso (R-WY) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM) recently introduced S. 4694, the Russian Suspension Agreement Extension Act of 2020. The legislation extends and expands limits on Russian uranium imports. Barrasso and Heinrich’s bill is cosponsored by Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Jim Risch (R-ID), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), and Tom Cotton (R-AR).

“Russia continues to undercut Wyoming’s uranium producers by flooding the market with cheap nuclear fuel,” said Barrasso. “Vladimir Putin and his satellite states are using uranium as a geo-political weapon. This is a threat to both our energy security and national security. The Trump administration is taking important steps to stop them. Our bipartisan legislation will codify those actions in law. It will also help revive and strengthen American uranium production. I look forward to working with members on both sides of the aisle to get this legislation passed.”

The Russian Suspension Agreement Extension Act of 2020 will:

  • Reduce reliance on Russian uranium imports in order to protect national security;
  • Strengthen the supply chain for nuclear fuel produced in the United States;
  • Close loopholes that hurt American uranium producers; and
  • Require the secretary of Energy to submit a report updating Congress on the steps being taken to accurately measure uranium imports.

Read the legislation here.

Background:

On September 14, 2020, Barrasso released a statement on the Department of Commerce’s preliminary deal to limit Russian uranium imports through 2040. The Department of Commerce previously found the Russian Federation was undercutting the uranium market, which harms America’s uranium producers.

On May 20, 2020, Barrasso and Sens. Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Mike Braun (R-IN), Tom Udall (D-NM), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Mike Enzi (R-WY), Tom Cotton (R-AR), and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) sent a letter to Department of Commerce Assistant Secretary Jeffrey Kessler calling on the department to extend the Russian Suspension Agreement (RSA), as recommended by the Nuclear Fuel Working Group (NFWG).

On March 4, 2020, EPW held a hearing to discuss the administration’s priorities for America’s nuclear industry.

On March 3, 2020, Barrasso pressed Department of Energy Secretary Brouillette to provide immediate relief for uranium producers and release the overdue Nuclear Fuel Working Group report.

On Sept. 30, 2019, Barrasso and a group of Republican senators sent a letter to National Economic Council Director and NFWG Co-Chairman Larry Kudlow, calling for NFWG to take bold action and immediately help America’s uranium producers. Read the letter here.

On July 13, 2019, President Trump established the NFWG following his final decision regarding the Section 232 investigation. The NFWG was tasked with giving recommendations to the president on how to reinvigorate domestic nuclear fuel production.

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