The energy and commerce committee of the US House of Representatives has passed legislation that will prohibit the importation into the US of unirradiated low-enriched uranium – the basic material used to fabricate nuclear fuel – that is produced in the Russia.

The bill, House Resolution 1042, the Prohibiting Russian Uranium Imports Act, is aimed at limiting the US’s reliance on foreign supplies in the energy sector and is part of a package of energy-related proposals to support renewed US leadership in the nuclear energy sector.

Committee chairwoman Cathy Rodgers, a Republican from Washington, said: “Nuclear is a key part of our energy mix and right now America is dangerously reliant upon Russia’s supply of nuclear fuels for our existing nuclear power plant fleet.