BREDL Continues its Decade-long Campaign to Halt Plutonium Fuel

Aug. 5, 2010: Tennessee Valley Authority’s Browns Ferry and Sequoyah nuclear power plants are identified in the July 19th Department of Energy Notice of Intent as the reactors designated for plutonium fuel use. The handling of special strategic nuclear materials requires the highest safety and security procedures. But the identified problems with fire protection, over-worked plant employees and site security lapses at these TVA power plants should eliminate them from further consideration by the DOE for plutonium disposition.

Read BREDL Comments to U.S. Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration

Aug. 25, 2003: BREDL requests a hearing and petitions to intervene in Duke Energy McGuire and Catawba Nuclear Power Plant license amendments proposing use of mixed oxide Lead Test Assemblies. (in .pdf)

June 3, 2003: G-8 FAILS TO FUND PLUTONIUM FUEL
INTERNATIONAL ANTI-PLUTONIUM CAMPAIGNERS ARRESTED IN RUSSIA
Today at a press conference in Augusta, Georgia, the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League announced that the international campaign to stop plutonium fuel has succeeded in delaying funding but at the cost of an erosion of civil rights. Read BREDL Press Release | May 30, 2003: Letter to Heads of State of the Group of Eight Nations from Non-governmental Organizations opposing Plutonium Fuel | On May 27, 2003, twelve Russian activists were arrested near the Ministry of atomic power in Moscow for speaking out in opposition to plutonium fuel (MOX)

Aug. 27, 2001: New York Times reports that the Bush Administration may abandon Plutonium Fuel (MOX) program. Meanwhile, Plutonium shipments to Savannah River Site have been put on hold while DOE formulates a disposal plan.

Dr Ian Fairlie, Consultant in Environmental Radiation, March 19, 2001 notes on MOX fuel. (.pdf file) (posted with permission)
Summary from Dr. Fairlie's notes
A number of factors militate against the use of MOX (mixed U oxide and Pu oxide) fuel. There are many questions concerning the alleged rationales for MOX fuel. In addition, considerable technical, economic, proliferation and radiological disadvantages are associated with MOX production, use, and recycle. Volumes of MOX fuel production and use are insignificant compared to those for uranium fuel. In global terms, MOX fuel use will remain restricted to countries or utilities retaining the view that separated Pu should be a resource rather than a waste.