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Federal uranium-enrichment program and the criteria and full-cost-recovery requirements of Section 161 of the Atomic Energy Act

Journal Article · · J. Miner. Law Pol.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6676191

DOE operates the US uranium enrichment business, which makes it responsible for the reliable supply of nuclear fuel to most US nuclear utilities as well as to many in other countries. Questions have arisen about DOE's compliance with key legal provisions and DOE's future as a reliable and competitive supplier of enrichment services. An overview of the implications of the loss of the US monopoly and the declining market also shows how demand forecasts erred. The author traces the historical development of DOE's monopoly and the shift toward policies encouraging private ownership. The three pricing options available to DOE are to price above cost (i.e., for profit), below (i.e., subsidize), or at cost. Current law requires pricing at cost. The other options will require political and economic policy changes.

OSTI ID:
6676191
Journal Information:
J. Miner. Law Pol.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Miner. Law Pol.; (United States) Vol. 2:1; ISSN JMLPE
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English