<P> A 2012 report by the International Atomic Energy Agency concluded: "The currently defined uranium resource base is more than adequate to meet high - case requirements through 2035 and well into the foreseeable future ." </P> <P> At the start of 2013, the identified remaining worldwide uranium resources stood at 5.90 million tons, enough to supply the world's reactors at current consumption rates for more than 120 years, even if no additional uranium deposits are discovered in the meantime . Undiscovered uranium resources as of 2013 were estimated to be 7.7 million tons . Doubling the price of uranium would increase the identified reserves as of 2013 to 7.64 million tons . Over the decade 2003--2013, the identified reserves of uranium (at the same price of US $130 / kg) rose from 4.59 million tons in 2003 to 5.90 million tons in 2013, a increase of 28% . </P> <P> The United States has the 4th largest uranium reserves in the world . The U.S. has its most prominent uranium reserves in New Mexico, Texas, and Wyoming . The U.S. Department of Energy has approximated there to be at least 300 million pounds of uranium in these areas . Domestic production increased until 1980, after which it declined sharply due to low uranium prices . In 2012 the United States mined 17% of the uranium consumed by its nuclear power plants . The remainder was imported, principally from Canada, Russia and Australia . Uranium is mined using several methods including open - pit mining, underground mining, and in - situ leaching . </P> <P> There is one gas centrifuge enrichment plant currently in commercial operation in the US . The National Enrichment Facility, operated by URENCO east of Eunice, New Mexico, was the first uranium enrichment plant in 30 years to be built in the US . The plant started enriching uranium in 2010 . Two additional gas centrifuge plants have been licensed by the NRC, but are not operating . The American Centrifuge Plant in Piketown, Ohio broke ground in 2007, but stopped construction in 2009 . The Eagle Rock Enrichment Facility in Bonneville County, Idaho was licensed in 2011, but construction is on hold . </P>

Nuclear power plants under construction in the united states