Remote monitoring safeguards for the 21st century
- Dept. of Energy, Washington, DC (United States)
The 39th regular session of the IAEA General Conference took place in Vienna, Austria, during the week of sept. 18, 1995. US Secretary of Energy Hazel O`Leary addressed the IAEA and its member States by acknowledging the historical accomplishments that have been made over the past year to combat the proliferation of nuclear weapons and promote the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. Speaking for President Clinton, O`Leary urged the Member States to seek continued improvement in the IAEA`s ability to detect undeclared nuclear activities and strengthen safeguards on all nuclear material. O`Leary stated that the US stands firmly behind these goals of strengthened safeguards and nonproliferation controls and is demonstrating its commitment in many ways. She elaborated on the US demonstrated commitments: (1) Clinton`s decision to pursue a zero-yield comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty; (2) withdrawal of 200 tons of fissile materials from the defense stockpile, never again to be used for nuclear explosives; (3) bilateral cooperation, aimed at securing nuclear materials, with the states of the former Soviet Union; and (4) the US contributions to improving IAEA nuclear safeguards. A highlight of the conference was O`Leary`s demonstration of technology that the US Department of Energy (DOE) and its global commercial and governmental partners have been developing and demonstrating aimed at meeting the new challenges associated with nuclear materials security. The technology allows inspectors to transmit data remotely from unattended sensors and cameras installed in nuclear facilities worldwide to their personal computers for verification of safeguards obligations. The advantages of this technology include lower cost through fewer on-site inspections, reduced worker radiation exposure, and reduced intrusion to facility operations. O`Leary presented a demonstration of the remote monitoring system to IAEA Director General Hans Blix and the heads of delegations.
- OSTI ID:
- 218549
- Journal Information:
- JNMM, Vol. 24, Issue 2; Other Information: PBD: Jan 1996
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Wide-area monitoring to detect undeclared nuclear facilities
New techniques said to be backed by results