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ARTICLE ARCHIVE

Reprocessing

Reprocessing - the chemical separation of uranium and plutonium from irradiated reactor fuel - is arguably the most dangerous and dirty phase of the nuclear fuel chain. Reprocessing generates huge waste streams with no management solution and isolates plutonium, the fissile component of a nuclear weapon. Countries such as England and France, where reprocessing has been carried out for decades, face a legacy of contamination and an enormous plutonium surplus vulnerable to theft or attack.

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Entries from June 1, 2011 - June 30, 2011

Friday
Jun032011

GAO confirms that parking lots dumps could easily serve as stepping stones to reprocessing

In a 2009 report comparing costs of dumping high-level radioactive wastes at Yucca Mountain versus regional "centralized interim storage" (parking lot dumps) versus very long term on-site storage at nuclear power plants (centuries), the U.S. Government Accountability Office admitted (on page 29) that "In fact, reprocessing facilities could be built near or adjacent to centralized facilities to maximize efficiencies." With President Obama's Blue Ribbon Commission on America's Nuclear Future advocating parking lot dumps, and Energy Secretary Chu advocating reprocessing, the risks of weapons proliferation, environmental destruction, health damage, and astronomical costs associated with reprocessing linger on.

DateJune 3, 2011 | Print ArticlePrint Article | |