**Updated May 16, 2022** By Samuel M. Hickey We will update this page as new questions and information arise, and you can submit questions to be answered by tweeting at @nukes_of_hazard. Iran Deal Specifics What did the Iran deal accomplish? Under the Iran deal, why can’t Iran build a secret nuclear bomb? Will sanctions relief allow […]
Fact Sheet: The Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction Program
As the Soviet empire collapsed, it became clear that an emergency situation was dangerously close. 30,000 nuclear weapons and a vast weapons production complex were spread over four sovereign states. Some 40,000 tons of chemical weapons and a large biological capability were also present. In response, the United States devised a program to consolidate, secure […]
Fact Sheet: Low-Enriched Uranium for Naval Reactors
Congress is considering whether to continue research that started in 2016 into using low-enriched uranium (LEU) to replace weapon-grade highly-enriched uranium (HEU) to fuel naval nuclear propulsion reactors. Such a switch would reduce risks of nuclear proliferation and avoid the need to restart production of weapons-grade uranium for the first time since 1992. Rapidly Closing […]
Fact Sheet: Congress’ Options on Civil Nuclear Waste Disposal
The disposal of commercial spent nuclear fuel is an environmental and economic responsibility for the United States government. Successive administrations have failed to find a solution since the nuclear chain-reaction was envisioned for civilian energy generation in 1946. Through the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 (NWPA), Congress assigned the management and disposal of spent nuclear fuel to the […]
Fact Sheet: Advanced Reactors, Nuclear Security and Non-Proliferation Concerns
The nuclear industry is developing several promising new technologies to meet the demand for “green” energy, but some may do more damage to U.S. non-proliferation policy than they are worth. The question for the federal government should be which of the possible avenues maximizes safety and minimizes proliferation risk. Supporters of advanced reactors often point […]
