URANIUM MINERS OPPOSES STEPS TOWARD RAISING CAP ON DOE URANIUM SALES

The uranium mining and conversion industry is criticizing an ongoing Department of Energy market analysis that would consider raising the Department’s self-imposed 10 percent cap on U.S. uranium demand. DOE set the limit in 2008 when it rolled out its excess uranium inventory disposition plan, but in recent months there has been talk of selling additional quantities of uranium to support work at the Portsmouth and Paducah sites, as well as the possibility of a program to re-enrich depleted uranium tails. The Uranium Producers of America sent a letter Friday to Energy Secretary Steven Chu strongly supporting maintaining the 10 percent cap. UPA believes that DOE’s previous market analyses have been “disconnected from the actual market impact,” according to the letter, which adds “UPA has consistently stated that the Department should stay within the limits and programs outlined in the Plan which was developed by a consensus of buyers, sellers and the Department. UPA has stated publicly that the Plan was successful in meeting the needs of all players, and provides transparency and certainty.”