Old nuclear reactors

The U.S. nuclear power sector is facing a critical shortage of high-assay, low-enriched uranium (HALEU) due to the cessation of Russian supplies amidst the Ukraine conflict. As a temporary solution, the U.S. is repurposing its old nuclear arsenal by down-blending weapons-grade uranium into HALEU at a facility in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. This process not only addresses the immediate fuel needs of emerging small modular reactors (SMRs) but also helps in the dismantling of retired warheads. Companies like Terrapower are racing to develop these small reactors, which promise to deliver low-emission electricity and are cheaper to build. However, the urgency for a reliable domestic supply of HALEU is growing, with calls for more government action to support this transition. With nuclear energy currently generating about 20% of U.S. electricity, the need for a sustainable fuel supply is becoming increasingly pressing.