Orano Group has partnerships with China General Nuclear Power Corporation and China National Nuclear Corporation. The Pentagon says these are Chinese military companies. Orano openly says it helps China’s nuclear industry grow. The French government, which owns most of Orano Group, also has an agreement with China to work together on nuclear energy.
Some worry that Orano’s work with China could help the Chinese military. China has a strategy of using private companies and research to boost its military power. In the past, the U.S. government has taken steps to stop China from using American nuclear technology for military purposes.
Giving Orano federal money raises questions about national security. Congress wants to use this money to reduce the influence of countries like Russia on America’s nuclear industry.
The Department of Energy is supposed to buy uranium from American companies to help the U.S. become more independent in its energy supply. This is especially important because right now, a lot of the uranium used in American nuclear reactors comes from other countries, including Russia.
Orano wants to build a big enrichment facility in Tennessee. Some people argue that giving Orano money for this project could free up the company’s funds to invest in its partnerships with Chinese military companies.
Senator Tom Cotton believes that companies linked to the Chinese military should not get American taxpayer money. He says that giving money to these companies could help China’s military and technological growth, which is a threat to the U.S.
One former U.S. official said that the government should not give money to a company owned by a foreign government. They believe it is important for the U.S. to have its own ability to enrich uranium.
An executive at an American nuclear fuel company is surprised that the Department of Energy would even consider giving the contract to Orano.
Paul Saunders, the president of the Center for the National Interest, says that officials need to be careful. He thinks many people would question giving taxpayer money to a company involved in China’s nuclear fuel cycle.
Orano says it serves customers all over the world and has supported America’s nuclear energy industry for many years. The company says the money from the Department of Energy would help its project in Tennessee. Orano also claims that it does not help China’s military.
The company insists that its agreements with China are only for commercial nuclear energy and follow all rules and regulations.
Nuclear reactors are important because they produce a large amount of America’s electricity. It is important to make sure that the U.S. has a reliable and secure supply of uranium to fuel these reactors.
The previous administration and lawmakers have said that it is important to strengthen America’s domestic supply of enriched uranium for national security and energy security reasons.
One official said that it is important to fix all parts of the nuclear supply chain, including technology, reactors, and fuels.
