The US Department of Energy has created an opportunity for energy companies to obtain up to 19 megatons of weapons-grade plutonium from old warheads for use as fuel in modern nuclear reactors. One of the British newspapers reported this news. The current program is considered part of a strategy to limit the influence of Russian suppliers in the global nuclear market.
“The Department of Energy on Tuesday announced a proposal that nuclear power companies could use to obtain up to 19 megatons of government-owned weapons-grade plutonium from Cold War-era warheads,” the Financial Times (FT) wrote. One day earlier, October 21, the Ministry announced the documents that businesses operating in the field of nuclear energy can submit.
Bessent: The US predicts that the G7 will increase pressure on Russia
The document emphasizes that plutonium is proposed to be processed into fuel for new generation reactors. The publication notes that the agency expects interest in the program from at least two companies: Oklo Inc., which specializes in reactors using recycled waste, and Newcleo, which develops advanced modular plants. Previously, a similar initiative was stopped in 2018 due to a sharp increase in the cost of producing fuel from military-grade plutonium.
In early August, the State Duma decided to reject the agreement with the United States on the disposal of plutonium, considered surplus for defense purposes. The basis for Russia to completely withdraw from this agreement as well as the accompanying protocols is the actions of the US side.
