The joint U.S.-Russian program has been responsible for the conversion of 137 metric tons of Russian highly enriched uranium into fuel, used primarily in U.S. nuclear power plants. The fuel is purchased by USEC, the U.S. government's executive agent implementing the agreement, and sold to electric utility customers. To date, this conversion of nuclear weapons material has eliminated the equivalent of 5,481 nuclear warheads. The program is funded entirely by USEC purchases. No taxpayer dollars are required.
"Given recent events and possible future threats to our national security, it is likely that an increased urgency and emphasis will be placed on nuclear weapons material management and protection," said USEC's statement to the Senate Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on International Security, Proliferation and Federal Services. "In that context, effective and timely implementation of the Megatons to Megawatts program becomes even more important." The program is currently under review by the Bush administration.
In a recent White House release, the program and other Russian nuclear threat reduction initiatives were cited as "principal elements" of the U.S. nuclear non-proliferation campaign. These programs become even more critical now, with the United States and Russia agreeing to reduce their nuclear arsenals by more than two-thirds. That will require the safe storage and disposal of an unprecedented quantity of nuclear materials.
"Concern is growing about the risks of proliferation of nuclear weapons and the threat of weapons of mass destruction," USEC's statement said. "The Megatons to Megawatts program is one successful effort to minimize those risks. USEC is committed to the continued success of this program."
USEC is currently in consultation with the administration on plans to negotiate new arrangements with Russia for 2002 through completion of the program in 2013.
For the complete statement, visit USEC's website, www.usec.com, click News Room, then Recent News. To obtain a printed copy, call USEC Corporate Communications, (301) 564-3391.
USEC Inc., a global energy company, is the world's leading supplier of enriched uranium fuel for commercial nuclear power plants.
CONTACT: USEC Inc.
Charles Yulish, (301) 564-3391
Elizabeth Stuckle, (301) 564-3399
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