U.S. weapons-usable plutonium disposition policy: Implementation of the MOX fuel option
- ed.; Amarillo National Resource Center for Plutonium, TX (United States)
- Texas A and M Univ., College Station, TX (United States). Dept. of Political Science
A comprehensive case study was conducted on the policy problem of disposing of US weapons-grade plutonium, which has been declared surplus to strategic defense needs. Specifically, implementation of the mixed-oxide fuel disposition option was examined in the context of national and international nonproliferation policy, and in contrast to US plutonium policy. The study reveals numerous difficulties in achieving effective implementation of the mixed-oxide fuel option including unresolved licensing and regulatory issues, technological uncertainties, public opposition, potentially conflicting federal policies, and the need for international assurances of reciprocal plutonium disposition activities. It is believed that these difficulties can be resolved in time so that the implementation of the mixed-oxide fuel option can eventually be effective in accomplishing its policy objective.
- Research Organization:
- Amarillo National Resource Center for Plutonium, TX (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- FC04-95AL85832
- OSTI ID:
- 665921
- Report Number(s):
- ANRCP-1998-16; ON: DE98007481; TRN: 99:000887
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: PBD: Oct 1998
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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