Senate Joint Resolution 67 was introduced into the Alabama state Senate on Thursday, April 10, by state Senator Greg Albritton. It passed the Senate on April 15, and passed the House earlier today. It goes to Governor Kay Ivey for her signature. (UPDATE: Gov. Ivey signed the resolution on April 23!)

For many years, we have told political leaders across the state about the importance of preserving uranium-233 from irreversible downblending and destruction. We are so pleased that the legislature took positive action to make their desires known. They stand with our Senator Tommy Tuberville in making it clear to national leaders, and particularly the Department of Energy, that they are destroying our future when they destroy uranium-233.

SJR67 Supporting the Acquisition and Secure Storage of Uranium-233 in Alabama

WHEREAS, the State of Alabama has a proud history of supporting scientific innovation, national security, and economic development; and

WHEREAS, uranium-233 (U-233), a rare and valuable nuclear material created from natural thorium, represents a significant resource for research, energy advancement, and national interests; and

WHEREAS, U-233 is currently stored at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee; and

WHEREAS, advanced nuclear reactors, including those utilizing thorium and U-233, hold immense promise for the future of energy, offering high potential as safer, more economical, and environmentally sustainable alternatives to traditional systems; and

WHEREAS, these cutting-edge technologies align with Alabama’s growing reputation as a hub for innovation, bolstered by the presence of pioneering nuclear development already operating within the state; and

WHEREAS, the safe management, storage, and potential utilization of U-233 require a location with robust infrastructure, a skilled workforce, and a commitment to environmental stewardship, all of which Alabama possesses in abundance; and

WHEREAS, relocating U-233 to Alabama would not only create high-quality jobs and attract federal investment, but also support Alabama companies by providing critical materials for advanced reactor development and encouraging further private investment and the relocation of like-minded businesses to the state; and

WHEREAS, it is in the interest of the State of Alabama to take advantage of this opportunity to strengthen its economy, enhance its leadership in next-generation energy solutions, and elevate its national standing; and

WHEREAS, the congressional delegation of the State of Alabama has already demonstrated admirable leadership on this issue and has worked diligently to understand the U.S. Department of Energy’s parameters of the preservation of this material; now therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, BOTH HOUSES THEREOF CONCURRING, That this body hereby declares its support for the State of Alabama to receive uranium-233 currently stored at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee into a secure storage facility.

(a) The Alabama Congressional Delegation is urged to collaborate with federal authorities, including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Tennessee Valley Authority, and the U.S. Department of Energy, to facilitate the transfer of U-233 to a suitable facility within the State of Alabama, ensuring compliance with all safety, security, and regulatory standards.

(b) The Governor of Alabama is encouraged to establish a task force, in coordination with relevant state agencies, Alabama-based MSR developers, and other stakeholders, to identify appropriate sites, assess infrastructure needs, and develop a plan for the secure and productive management of U-233 in support of advanced reactor technologies.

(c) This resolution shall serve as a formal expression of Alabama’s readiness and capability to harness the potential of U-233, and foster a thriving ecosystem of innovation that leverages the safety, efficiency, and economic advantages of advanced reactors for the benefit of the state and the nation.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Governor of Alabama, the Alabama Congressional Delegation, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Tennessee Valley Authority, the U.S. Department of Energy, and the leadership of Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

To help explain the value of uranium-233 and its relevance to Alabama’s energy goals, we created this short video:

We very much hope that this resolution will help Senator Tuberville to prevail in his efforts to save uranium-233 this year, as part of the negotiations associated with the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). We encourage all other legislators to work with him to insure our energy future. It is ironic that even as China is in the news for the announcement of their first molten-salt reactor, which also includes thorium in the salt, our Department of Energy continues to advance the false narrative that uranium-233 is an “unviable fuel source” fuel and that they should try to destroy it at tremendous expense to the taxpayer.

UPDATE: there doesn’t seem to have been much press about this joint resolution, but here’s an article that was written later:

Alabama Moves to Secure Uranium-233 for Next-Generation Energy Development