U.S. and Russia Eliminating Excess Plutonium

Joint Russian and U.S. efforts to dispose of a dangerous remnant of the Cold War, excess nuclear weapons-grade plutonium, are proceeding rapidly, according to the Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA).

At the end of the Cold War, the two super-powers had enough unused plutonium on hand to build at least 17,000 nuclear weapons.

In 2000, the U.S. and Russia agreed to dispose of at least 34 metric tons (75,000 lbs.) of surplus weapons-grade plutonium each. The plutonium will be converted into mixed oxide (MOX) fuel for use in commercial nuclear power generating reactors.

To date, 10 of Russia's 13 plutonium-generating reactors have been shut down. Russia's three pre-Chornobyl era plutonium reactors remaining in operation provide necessary heat and electricity to two Siberian cities. Under the NNSA's Elimination of Weapons Grade Plutonium Production (EWGPP) program, the United States is assisting the Russian Federation in construction of three fossil fuel energy plants to replace the remaining plutonium reactors.

The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) is an agency of the Department of Energy, a Cabinet-level, executive branch agency. The NNSA maintains and enhances the safety, security, reliability and performance of the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile without nuclear testing; works to reduce global danger from weapons of mass destruction; provides the U.S. Navy with safe and effective nuclear propulsion; and responds to nuclear and radiological emergencies in the United States and abroad.

Bush Okays Further Reduction to Nuclear Weapons Stockpile: On December 18, President Bush approved a further reduction to the U.S. stockpile of nuclear weapons. Following a previous reduction announced in 2004, this action will trim the remaining U.S. supply of functional nuclear weapons to less than one-quarter its size at the end of the Cold War.

Also See:
Taking Apart a Nuclear Weapon
Nuclear Weapons: Pay Up to Cleanup
Cold War Death Toll Still Being Counted