Energy department selling surplus uranium

WASHINGTON DC - The U.S. Energy Department plans to sell 2,000 tonnes of surplus uranium annually 2011-2013, which could push spot prices lower over the next three years.

The department announced the sales will take place every three months, with no more than 450 metric tons put on the market per quarter.

The uranium, which can be processed as fuel for nuclear power plants, will help cover the cost of cleaning up the Portsmouth uranium enrichment plant in Ohio.

Energy Secretary Steven Chu approved the transfers after he determined the sales would not hurt domestic uranium producers, the department said. U.S. uranium production rose 14 percent last year to 4.2 million pounds.

However, an analysis prepared for the department concluded that the average spot price for uranium could fall 4.9 to 8.9 percent during the period from the November 30, 2010 spot price of $60.25 per pound. The current spot price for uranium is near $70 a pound.

The Energy Department built up an inventory of about 58,000 tonnes of natural uranium for military use during the Cold War and has been selling the stocks gradually over the past 25 years.

Related News

trudeau environment

Canada could be electric, connected and clean — if it chooses

TORONTO - So, how do we get there?

We're already on our way.

The final weeks of 2016 delivered some progress, as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and premiers of 11 of the 13 provinces and territories negotiated a new national climate plan. The deal is a game changer. It marks the moment that Canada stopped arguing about whether to tackle climate change and started figuring out how we're going to get there.

We can each be part of the solution by reducing the amount of energy we use, making sure our homes and workplaces are well insulated and choosing energy…

READ MORE
Pennsylvania Clean Energy Employment Report

Clean energy jobs energize Pennsylvania: Clean Energy Employment Report

READ MORE

manitoba hydro office

Manitoba Hydro's burgeoning debt surpasses $19 billion

READ MORE

electricity

Physicists Just Achieved Conduction of Electricity at Close to The Speed of Light

READ MORE

india-solar-growth-slows

India's Solar Growth Slows with Surge in Coal Generation

READ MORE