ABSTRACT

Nuclear power's role in supplying U.S. electrical energy needs will grow rapidly in the next few decades, becoming the principal electricity source by the end of the century. The chief nuclear fuel during the period will be the uranium isotope 235; however, some thorium will be used and plutonium will have a role supplementing uranium in water reactors and as fuel in breeder reactors. The current oversupply of uranium is likely to be short-lived considering the increases in production capacity and additions to reserves that will be needed.

The United States has major low-cost uranium resources but they are not large in comparison to projected requirements. While the few known large uranium areas will provide a basis for continued expansion of reserves, new uranium areas are likely to be needed. Filling future demands will be a challenge to the raw materials industry considering the time available and the required resource and production capacity expansion. Foreign supplies are an additional potential source but they will be excluded from U.S. markets until late in the seventies.