WASHINGTON, DC – Today, March 12, 2008, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Assistant Secretary of Nuclear Energy Dennis R. Spurgeon will host a conference call to discuss the Department’s Secretarial Policy Statement on the management of its excess uranium inventory, providing the framework within which DOE will make decisions concerning future use and disposition of its inventory.

The Department has a significant inventory of depleted, natural and enriched uranium that is excess to U.S. defense needs and located at various DOE sites across the nation.  This uranium is equivalent to approximately 59,000 metric tons of natural uranium.  DOE’s uranium inventory is expensive to maintain and secure, and is in various forms, many of which are not readily usable.  This uranium inventory was acquired over the years from defense programs, uranium enrichment, and other activities.  Under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, DOE has broad authority to loan, sell, transfer or otherwise utilize the uranium in its inventory.  You can view the Policy Statement on the Office of Nuclear Energy website.

Media contact(s):
Angela Hill, (202) 586-4940