In 2012, the United States (U.S.) Congress, under provisions of the American Medical Isotopes Production Act, required the Chairman of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (U.S. NRC) to submit a report detailing the current disposition of previous U.S. exports of highly enriched uranium (HEU) used as fuel or targets in a nuclear research or test reactor (RTR). In January 2014, the U.S. NRC submitted the requested report to Congress. In the preparation of the report, U.S. NRC staff reviewed nearly 1,700 HEU export transactions, 1,400 HEU import transactions, and compared the information to nearly 800 export licenses and license amendments. The report found that the bulk of the U.S. HEU exports and imports, approximately 95 and 80 percent respectively, occurred prior to 1990. The U.S. HEU exports peaked in the late 1960s and have since declined dramatically due to the shutdown of many foreign HEU-fueled RTR facilities and programs. The U.S. exported approximately 22,600 kilograms (kg) of HEU, of which 7,700 kg was imported back to the United States. The United States continues the effort to reduce and eliminate the use of HEU for use in RTRs and medical isotope production. Although the U.S. exported HEU to 35 countries, 20 countries still possess some U.S. HEU as RTR fuel or target material. Some of the outcomes from the 2010, 2012, and 2014 Nuclear Security Summits were statements on behalf of various countries, endorsing or committing to the minimization of HEU and potential replacement of HEU use in the future production of medical isotopes.
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