Prohibiting Russian Uranium Imports Act
Enacted law- Law
- P.L. 118-62
- Bill / vehicle
- H.R.1042
- Status
- Enacted law
- Date
- Signed May 13, 2024 (ban effective ~Aug. 2024)
- Administration
- Biden
- Topic
- Fuel supply security; Russia
- Sponsors
- Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), lead cosponsor Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH); Senate effort led by Barrasso (R-WY), Manchin (D/I-WV), Risch (R-ID)
What it does
Bans imports of unirradiated low-enriched uranium from Russia, closing swap and third-country loopholes. To avoid sudden fuel shortages, DOE can grant declining waivers through 2027 where no alternative supply exists — but all waivers must end by January 1, 2028, producing an effective full ban. Restrictions run through 2040.
Why it matters
The U.S. had been getting roughly 20–27% of its reactor fuel from Russia even after the invasion of Ukraine. This law gave private enrichers the market certainty (no cheap Russian undercutting) they needed to invest — and unlocked the ~$2.72B appropriated alongside it. Builds on the earlier Russian Suspension Agreement Extension (enacted via the 2021 Consolidated Appropriations Act).
Learn the underlying ideas
New here? These concept explainers give you the background to understand what this law is actually doing.