The US agency in charge of nuclear security is commissioning a study on the proliferation risks of high assay low enriched uranium fuel, or Haleu, to be used in advanced reactors, the head of the agency said.

Jill Hruby, administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), said in a statement published in the journal Science that it is important to address proliferation concerns of Haleu.

“NNSA recognises that reactor type, fuel enrichment level, fuel quantity, and fuel form are important factors in evaluating proliferation risks and believes that risk-informed and adaptive approaches to the proliferation challenges inherent in nuclear energy are warranted,” Hruby said.