John Barrasso

01/15/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/15/2025 15:03

Barrasso: Chris Wright Will Strengthen America’s Energy Independence

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) discussed strengthening America's energy independence with Chris Wright, President-Elect Trump's nominee for Secretary of the Department of Energy. Barrasso addressed building America's nuclear fuel supply chain, ending unnecessary uranium imports from Russia and China, and continuing support for American energy innovation projects.

Wright's confirmation hearing was held today in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

On Building America's Nuclear Fuel Supply Chain Independence:

"You mentioned that we have lost the capacity to enrich uranium and America is dependent on imports right now to fuel our nuclear reactors.

"We have extremely limited commercial enrichment and conversion capacity - not in America's best interest. In 2023, Congress passed the Nuclear Fuel Security Act. We repurposed $2.7 billion in funding to support this goal.

"If confirmed, will you make it a priority to build and secure our nuclear fuel supply chain?


Click here to watch Sen. Barrasso's remarks on America's nuclear fuel supply chain.

On Ending Unnecessary Uranium Imports from Russia and China:

"Congress passed legislation to ban imports of Russian uranium in the United States. This law is intended to revive American uranium production, strengthen our nuclear fuel supply. It has to be implemented correctly. The Secretary of Energy has the discretion to provide waivers to companies seeking to import uranium from Russia.

"Do you agree these waivers should be very limited and used only in extreme circumstances?"

Follow-up:

"It does seem that as they've shut down Russian uranium, now we see more imports from China.

"So the next issue is if confirmed, will you support efforts to end uranium imports from China as we continue to try to build the U.S. nuclear supply?"


Click here to watch Sen. Barrasso's remarks on ending Russian and Chinese Uranium imports.

On Continuing Support for American Energy Innovation Projects:

"With regard to advanced nuclear reactor and demonstration projects, the Department of Energy's Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program (ARDP) - which is meant to help developers overcome some of the hurdles that we have in terms of the expense early on with the development programs - received broad bipartisan support from this committee and across the Congress. So I look forward to getting the current projects over the finish line.

"Will you ensure the department continues to be a faithful partner in this mission?"


Click here to watch Sen. Barrasso's remarks on American nuclear energy innovation.

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