US picks potential partners for using Cold War-era plutonium as fuel
Summary
The U.S. government has picked five companies to discuss using surplus plutonium from old nuclear weapons as fuel for advanced nuclear reactors. This move follows President Donald Trump’s order to stop diluting plutonium for disposal and instead use it as fuel, aiming to create cleaner energy but raising some safety and security concerns.Key Facts
- The U.S. Department of Energy chose five companies, including Oklo, to develop fuel from Cold War-era plutonium.
- The plutonium comes from dismantled nuclear warheads and lasts for about 24,000 years.
- Oklo is working with newcleo, a European company, to create this new fuel.
- President Trump ordered the halt of diluting and disposing of plutonium in May last year.
- Some lawmakers worry that using weapons-grade plutonium as fuel could cause security risks.
- Other companies involved are Exodys Energy, SHINE Technologies, Standard Nuclear, and Flibe Energy.
- The program aims to help companies get private funding to develop advanced nuclear reactors.
- Using the plutonium as fuel could reduce the amount of nuclear waste the U.S. has to manage.
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