GAO Calls For ⁷Li Oversight

The U.S. government needs to take a more active role in the lithium-7 supply chain to prevent shortages, according to a Government Accountability Office report on the rare isotope (GAO-13-716). A stable supply of ⁷Li is important because the isotope prevents corrosion in pressurized-water nuclear reactors, which produce 13% of the U.S. electricity supply. Most of the current U.S. supply of ⁷Li comes from China and Russia. To avoid a shortage, the report recommends starting a domestic reserve, building domestic production capability, and/or reducing current reactors’ reliance on the isotope. It also suggests that the Department of Energy’s isotope program take a stewardship role in ensuring U.S. ⁷Li supply; currently no single federal agency has that responsibility. DOE, which has already planned to set aside 200 kg of ⁷Li, has agreed to study the problem to determine the best way to ensure supplies. Previous DOE studies found no need to be concerned about the ⁷Li supply, but GAO’s analysis suggests DOE’s view of the risks might not be complete.