Nuclear power and weapons proliferation: the thin link

Conference · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1977 · Proc. Am. Power Conf.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6890332

Starr, C

Dr. Starr, in discussing the thin link between nuclear power and weapon proliferation, stated that the U.S. in postponing the breeder reactor option is depriving energy-hungry nations of the full benefit of nuclear power. Well-known facts show that there are about eight different ways available to produce weapons material. By the 1980s, there will be even more easier and cheaper ways to produce weapon-grade fissionable material. The Administration's policy on nuclear power has the effect of promoting LWRs and delaying both plutonium recycle and the breeder. The LWR fuel would pass through the reactor only once, and then be stored indefinitely. Because the uranium resource future is uncertain, many believe the insurance aspect of the breeder option (which requires recycle) should be fully developed now and subsequently used as required. The Administration's counter argument is that closing the plutonium fuel cycle, as required for a fully developed breeder system, would place the United States in the position now of endorsing plutonium recycle, and thus encourage the development in other nations of a possible channel for supplying nuclear weapons material. It is also the Administration's contention that domestic pursuit of the breeder and recycle for United States energy supply and simultaneous discouragement of other nations would create an unacceptable double standard--although such already exists in the nuclear weapons field. Many have a deep concern that the Administration's position on plutonium recycle and the breeder will be internationally counterproductive and actually stimulate proliferation; it may damage our domestic economy as well, the author says. (MCW)

• Research Organization: Electric Power Research Inst., Palo Alto, CA
• OSTI ID: 6890332
• Report Number(s): CONF-770403-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Proc. Am. Power Conf.; (United States) Journal Volume: 39
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290600* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Nuclear Energy
ACTINIDES
BREEDER REACTORS
DECISION MAKING
ECONOMICS
ELEMENTS
ENRICHED URANIUM
EVALUATION
FUEL CYCLE
FUEL REPROCESSING PLANTS
GLOBAL ASPECTS
IMPLEMENTATION
INTERNATIONAL REGULATIONS
ISOTOPE ENRICHED MATERIALS
MARKET
METALS
NORTH AMERICA
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
NUCLEAR POWER
NUCLEAR WEAPONS
PLUTONIUM RECYCLE
POWER
PRODUCTION
PROLIFERATION
REACTORS
REGULATIONS
REPROCESSING
SAFEGUARDS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
URANIUM
USA
WEAPONS