Plutonium processingLawmakers want DOE to reduce run-away costs of S.C. plutonium processing plant
Lawmakers have given the Obama administration two weeks to submit a plan for reducing the cost of constructing the mixed-oxide fuel conversion (MOX) facility which would convert bomb-grade plutonium into nuclear fuel. The MOX facility at the Savannah River Site, South Carolina was launched to help the United States meet its nuclear arms reduction agreement with Russia, and agreement which called for the two countries to dispose of at least thirty-four metric tons each of weapons-grade plutonium.
Members of the Senate Appropriations Energy and Water Development Subcommittee have given the Obama administration two weeks to submit a plan for reducing the cost of constructing the mixed-oxide fuel conversion (MOX) facility which would convert bomb-grade plutonium into nuclear fuel. The MOX facility at the Savannah River Site, South Carolina was launched to help the United States meet its nuclear arms reduction agreement with Russia, and agreement which called for the two countries to dispose of at least thirty-four metric tons each of weapons-grade plutonium.
Global Security Newswire reports that the Energy Department (DOE) once estimated that the MOX facility would cost $1.8 billion to build, but recent estimates predict building costs to reach $8 billion. DOE officials say the construction of the South Carolina-based facility is 40 percent complete and that it would take $25.1 billion more over the facility’s lifetime for it to complete its mission. At the earliest, the MOX facility would complete disposing of the plutonium by 2043. An alternative plan, the down-blending option, would dispose of the plutonium by 2046 at a cost of $8.8 billion, and is less likely to encounter technical hurdles which would cause delays.
At a hearing last Wednesday with National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) head, Retired Lt. Gen. Frank Klotz, members of the subcommittee questioned the NNSA’s figures and raised concerns about the agency’s estimates that it would take an additional eighteen months to review the options available and decide which is the best for plutonium disposition. “I don’t accept for one minute it’s $25 billion” to continue using the MOX facility, said Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), who also asserts the project is actually 60 percent complete, rather than 40. “So we’re going to have a contest over are they right … I’m not going to accept your word on any of this.”
Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-California), the subcommittee chairwoman, raised concerns about backing out of the agreement with Russia. “I’m really concerned about breaking an agreement with the Russians at this stage and increasing funding for life-extension programs — not with Ford-type technology but Cadillac-type technology,” Feinstein said. “I really think it presents a huge dilemma to this country in terms of keeping its word in agreements, and particularly with a very powerful country that is at sixes and sevens with us and everybody else.”
Feinstein urged Klotz to “break whatever it is in this (energy) department that ends up” causing projects to run over budget and behind schedule. Feinstein also questioned the value of putting the MOX facility on “cold standby” while DOE reviews alternatives. To conclude the hearing, Feinstein asked Klotz to submit to the subcommittee within the next two weeks, a plan on how his agency would review the figures for the MOX facility and to suggest cost-cutting measures. The subcommittee needs the information in order to draft its spending bill for fiscal 2015.
“We’ll come see you in two weeks,” Klotz replied.
