WASHINGTON, May 5 (UPI) -- A plutonium-burning reactor may be built in South Carolina despite delays on a sister project in Russia that is supposed to proceed at the same time.
The Russian and U.S. governments agreed in 2000 to mutually build light-water reactors to burn 34 tons of plutonium each, an effort to keep the radioactive waste out of the hands of terrorists.
However, early in 2006 Russian officials balked on the deal, saying they preferred to build a different type of reactor that could actually produce more plutonium, providing Russia with an endless cycle of fuel and energy -- but one that carries security risks. Moscow said it would only go forward with the planned mixed-oxide reactor if the cost of construction is entirely paid by the international community.
The fast-breeder reactor favored by Moscow is generally considered a greater proliferation risk than light-water reactors as they produce, or "breed," more fissile material than they consume; depending on the configuration of the reactor, the material could be used for weapons. Light-water reactors must be refueled every few months to continue to produce fissile material. Russia is already building a BN-800 (800 MWe) fast-breeder reactor at Beloyarsk.
The two reactors were initially supposed to begin burning plutonium in 2007, but that date has been pushed back to at least 2013, according to Energy Department documents. The countries lost two years over disagreements about who would be liable in the event of a nuclear accident in Russia. The United States has a $10 billion fund for nuclear accidents.
In the meantime, plutonium was scheduled to be shipped to Savannah and would accumulate on site if the reactor was delayed. The Energy Department struck a deal with South Carolina to pay the state up to $100 million a year for every year the schedule slipped beyond 2011.
However, the House Armed Services Committee has approved a plan to move forward with the Savannah mixed-oxide fuel reactor even if Russia continues dragging its feet, according to the office of Rep. John Spratt (D-S.C.).
Spratt said when he was informed in February about Russian delays, he was concerned U.S. funding for the MOX reactor would be diverted to other programs in the defense budget, and South Carolina stuck with 34 tons of weapons-grade plutonium.
The first draft of the House version of the 2007 defense authorization bill confirmed that fear. The committee initially cut $150 million from the $600 million identified for the MOX program, and fenced all but $50 million of the remaining money until the Energy Department certified the MOX facility was proceeding in Russia, or that the South Carolina program would move ahead independently.
The House Armed Services committee report -- which still must be approved by the Senate -- includes language recognizing the importance of the Savannah reactor, Spratt said.
"The South Carolina MOX project is a cost-effective and efficient method for the United States to dispose of a significant portion of its plutonium inventory ... (and that) moving forward expeditiously with construction and operation of the U.S. MOX plant will significantly reduce the costs and risks associated with managing domestic weapons-grade plutonium," the report states.
"Our language allows for the Department of Energy to negotiate with the Russians, but ensures that South Carolina will have a way to deal with the plutonium stored at Savannah River, whether the Russians move forward on MOX or not. This is important for South Carolina's environment, important for national security and non-proliferation, and important for all the workers who will build and operate the MOX plant," Spratt said.
The international community has donated about $850 million for the construction of a Russian light-water reactor, which will cost an estimated $2.7 billion, up from initial estimates of $1.5 billion. The U.S. reactor in Savannah will cost about $3.5 billion, up from the $1 billion estimated in 2002, according to the Energy Department.
