Why does Trump want to transfer Cold War-era plutonium to nuclear start-ups?
Summary
President Donald Trump’s administration has chosen several nuclear start-ups to use Cold War-era plutonium stockpiles as fuel for small nuclear reactors. This plan aims to find new uses for the plutonium, which has been costly to store, but experts are concerned about safety and the risk of nuclear weapons proliferation.Key Facts
- The Trump administration plans to allow nuclear start-ups to use plutonium produced until the early 1990s.
- The plutonium comes from stockpiles stored securely at multiple US sites, totaling about 99 tons.
- Selected start-ups, including Newcleo, must show they can safely handle and transport the radioactive material.
- Using plutonium as fuel is part of a broader US goal to renew nuclear energy and reduce reliance on Russian uranium.
- The US has struggled for decades to find a safe and cost-effective way to dispose of these plutonium stockpiles.
- Previous efforts under Presidents Obama and Biden to repurpose or bury the plutonium faced technical and financial challenges.
- Some experts worry that repurposing plutonium could increase risks related to nuclear weapons and non-proliferation.
- The push for more nuclear energy is partly driven by high electricity demands from industries like artificial intelligence and data centers.
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