GOP queries Granholm on Biden budget’s nuclear energy funding cuts.

Republican Lawmakers Question Energy Secretary on Nuclear Energy Funding and Russian Uranium

Republican lawmakers recently questioned Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm on the place of nuclear energy in President Biden’s proposed 2024 budget and America’s continued reliance on enriched uranium from Russia. During a hearing before the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Energy, Climate, & Grid Security, Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-S.C.) asked Granholm why nuclear energy funding was being cut, citing decreases in proposed spending on the department’s nuclear programs. Granholm responded that the funding had been used to fund the advanced reactor demonstration program, which is now funded through the bipartisan infrastructure law.

Nuclear Energy Funding a Topic of Widespread Agreement

Rep. Duncan said nuclear energy is one topic that leads to “widespread agreement” among Democrats and Republicans and across the Senate and the House of Representatives. Nuclear industry insiders and advocates have expressed a similar perspective, including consultant Mark Nelson of Radiant Energy Group and Ed McGinnis, CEO of the nuclear waste recycling startup Curio.

Questions on Energy Modality Mostly Came from One Party

Yet, questions on the energy modality mostly came from one party at the hearing. Against light protests from some Democrats, who argued that the Biden administration has shown a strong and continued commitment to nuclear energy, Duncan and his Republican colleagues continually pressed Granholm on the topic.

Granholm Prodded on Uranium

Duncan asked about the slow pace of movements to produce high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) in the United States, which is critical to powering some advanced reactors. A February 2023 memorandum from the Foundation for Defense of Democracies was direct about the dismal state of play from the West’s point of view: “Russia is currently the only other country that produces HALEU.”

Lawmakers Seek to Prohibit Uranium Imports from Russia

Earlier this session, lawmakers sought to prohibit uranium imports from Russia, through legislation introduced in the House and Senate. They argue it’s consistent with last year’s ban on Russian oil imports after the country invaded Ukraine. While the Senate uranium ban bill is bipartisan, drawing support from Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and other Democrats alongside multiple Republicans, the House version only has Republican sponsorship, at least for now.

Granholm Hopes for Collaboration on Uranium Strategy

Granholm chose her words carefully in response to Duncan’s HALEU questioning. “We need to do a whole project with respect to HALEU and uranium overall,” she said. “We do not want to be reliant on Russia,” she added. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.), who chairs the full committee, seemed frustrated as the Biden official avoided answering “yes” or “no” to questions about a prospective ban on Russian uranium. “I would certainly consider that if we developed our own supply. We want to be energy independent. We don’t want to harm the existing [nuclear] fleet,” Granholm said. She added that she hoped the administration and Congress could collaborate on a uranium strategy.

Progress on Reprocessing Technologies for Spent Nuclear Fuel

Rep. Michael Burgess (R-Texas) asked Granholm about the government’s progress on reprocessing technologies for spent nuclear fuel. She mentioned a program at the Idaho National Laboratory. “It is small-ish, not huge. I think it can be much larger,” Granholm said. “What’s holding us back?” Burgess asked. “Historically, it just hasn’t been a huge priority,” she answered.

Criticism of Republicans for Misrepresentations of Biden Administration’s Attitude on Nuclear Energy

Rep. Scott Peters (D-Calif.) criticized Republicans for what he characterized as misrepresentations of the Biden administration’s attitude on nuclear, hydroelectricity, and other n