Plutonium Downblending Cheaper than MOX, Report Finds, But Hurdles Remain for Both

摘要

While a highly scrutinized report on surplus plutonium disposition options released this week found thatrndownblending the material for disposal would cost a fraction of turning it into mixed oxide (MOX) fuel, it details hurdles remaining for both approaches. The latest report on plutonium disposition options by AerospacernCorporation, a research and development and advisory firm specializing in national security space programs, camernafter Congress directed the National Nuclear Security Administration to commission a report examining plutoniumrndisposition options. The total lifecycle cost for the MOX option stands at $47.5 billion if the project is funded atrn$500 million per year, according to the report’s findings, which have been challenged by MOX supporters who sayrnit should be far lower. If the project is funded at $375 million per year, close to current levels, the total cost jumps tornabout $110 billion and the completion date stretches 100 years into the future to 2115.Total cost for downblendingrnthe plutonium for disposal would cost about $17.2 billion, the report states.