Reactor shutdowns loom up for 1980s as nation moves deeper into spent fuel pickle

Journal Article · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1977 · Electr. Perspect.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5248976

Kowal, D J

The U.S. faces a short-term problem of inadequate electric generating capacity and a long-term problem of nuclear weapons proliferation unless a solution is found to the impasse over spent-fuel reprocessing. The Carter Administration policy of deferring commercial reprocessing indefinitely conflicts with its inaction in constructing permanent storage facilities. The dilemma, due to an abrupt change of direction after 20 years of government support for commercial reprocessing, is traced to India's 1974 nuclear explosion and a subsequent reassessment of proliferation risks. The economic impact of present U.S. policies is expected to be a significant increase in the price of uranium, while trade negotiations, based to some extent on the U.S. nuclear industry and uranium enrichment capability, could suffer. Indications are noted that the Administration may be reassessing whether the U.S. can determine the worldwide nuclear energy future, or if the net result will be to deprive the U.S. of an important energy source. The case is developed for reprocessing and co-location of facilities for security reasons, with an immediate program for expanding storage capacity. (DCK)

• Research Organization: General Atomic Co., San Diego, CA
• OSTI ID: 5248976
• Journal Information: Electr. Perspect.; (United States), Journal Name: Electr. Perspect.; (United States) Vol. 77/5:77-1E; ISSN ELPED
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

050800 -- Nuclear Fuels-- Spent Fuels Reprocessing
11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290600* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Nuclear Energy
293000 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Policy
Legislation
& Regulation
ACTINIDES
ECONOMIC IMPACT
ELEMENTS
ENERGY POLICY
ENERGY SOURCE DEVELOPMENT
FOREIGN POLICY
FUEL REPROCESSING PLANTS
GLOBAL ASPECTS
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
MANAGEMENT
METALS
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
NUCLEAR MATERIALS DIVERSION
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
NUCLEAR WEAPONS
POWER GENERATION
POWER PLANTS
PROLIFERATION
RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT
REPROCESSING
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SOCIAL IMPACT
SPENT FUEL STORAGE
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
URANIUM
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WEAPONS