John Carlson, Leonard S. Spector along with FMWG Chair Miles Pomper release Occasional Paper #42 with the Center for Nonproliferation Studies. The paper discusses issues relating to separated, or unirradiated, plutonium in civilian nuclear programs — plutonium that has been chemically separated from spent nuclear reactor fuel by reprocessing but has not been reintroduced into […]
plutonium
In the News: National Academy of Sciences Releases First of Two Plutonium Reports
The National Academy of Sciences released the first of two Congressionally-mandated reports regarding the general viability of the DOE National Nuclear Security Administration’s (NNSA’s) conceptual plan for disposing of 34 metric tons of surplus plutonium in WIPP. Preliminary findings indicate insufficient capacity at the facility is one of several barriers to effective implementation.
In the News: MOX Facility Closing
The Trump Administration is moving away from MOX to dilute and dispose as NNSA sends formal termination letter. Reuters explains, “Instead of completing MOX, the Trump administration, like the Obama administration before it, wants to blend the 34 tonnes of deadly plutonium – enough to make about 8,000 nuclear weapons – with an inert substance and […]
In the News: FMWG Chair Miles Pomper highlights lack of proper U.S. Government accounting for radioactive materials
In a recent article, FMWG Chair Miles Pomper and CNS colleague Grace Liu comment on the theft of cesium-137 and plutonium that occurred one year ago. Authorities have failed to locate the dangerous materials and as Pomper explains, “the behavior of the officials and the lack of reporting and transparency is of great concern.”
In the News: FMWG Chair Miles Pomper and Member Dr. Charles Ferguson explain the shortcomings of current nuclear material accounting system
One year after the plutonium disk and cesium source went missing from San Antonio, the government remains quiet and experts raise concerns regarding the system in place for nuclear material accounting. FMWG Chair Miles Pomper explains the political difficulties of creating an effective system for military-related materials, while Dr. Charles Ferguson highlights the lack of […]
