Cold War Plutonium Proposed for Future U.S. Nuclear Power

Plutonium from dismantled U.S. nuclear warheads dating back to the Cold War may soon find a new purpose as fuel for future nuclear reactors. Under a draft proposal from the Trump Administration, approximately 20 metric tons of this plutonium could be made available to American power companies as part of a broader effort to revitalize the nuclear energy sector. Currently, the U.S. does not incorporate plutonium in its nuclear power facilities, having only used it for limited test runs in the past.

The source of this plutonium would be a larger stockpile of 34 metric tons, which the U.S. committed to disposing of under a 2000 non-proliferation agreement with Russia. According to a report by Reuters, the power industry would receive this plutonium at minimal or no cost, although they would bear the expenses related to transportation, facility design, and the processing required to convert the plutonium into usable fuel.

The plan follows an executive order issued by President Donald Trump in May that directs the Secretary of Energy to halt the existing surplus plutonium dilute and dispose program, except for obligations related to the state of South Carolina. The order mandates that the Secretary of Energy develop a strategy for making surplus plutonium available in a form suitable for advanced nuclear technology fuel fabrication. A report outlining recommendations on the efficient use of uranium, plutonium, and other recycled materials is due within 240 days of the executive order’s issuance.

The U.S. Department of Energy has indicated it is exploring various strategies to strengthen domestic supply chains for nuclear fuel, including plutonium, while stopping short of confirming the specifics of the proposed plan.

Concerns have been raised by analysts and nuclear safety experts regarding the viability of using this plutonium for advanced nuclear systems. They argue that the best course of action would be to store the surplus plutonium safely at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) in New Mexico. Edwin Lyman, a nuclear physicist with the Union of Concerned Scientists, stated, “The excess plutonium is a dangerous waste product, and the Department of Energy should stick to the safer, more secure, and far cheaper plan to dilute and directly dispose of it in WIPP.”

The potential move to repurpose Cold War plutonium aligns with the escalating demand for electricity driven by advancements in artificial intelligence and the onshoring of manufacturing. As the energy needs of technology firms grow, there is a significant push toward developing small modular reactors. This trend is evident in recent announcements from major companies like Equinix, which has entered agreements for advanced nuclear electricity to power its data centers.

According to research from Goldman Sachs, nuclear power could play a crucial role in the new energy infrastructure needed to meet surging demands from AI-driven power consumption. Nevertheless, experts caution that while nuclear energy will contribute to meeting the need, it will not be a standalone solution. Natural gas will remain part of the energy mix, supplemented by renewable energy and battery technology.

As the U.S. considers this significant shift in nuclear policy, the implications for energy production, safety, and long-term waste management remain to be fully understood. The approaching deadlines for reports and recommendations from the Department of Energy will be critical in shaping the future of nuclear energy in the country.