The US government has announced plans to collaborate with nuclear startups to find a use for dozens of tons of weapons-grade plutonium. The move is aimed at reducing the risk of nuclear proliferation and providing a new economic opportunity for the private sector.
Nuclear startups are being invited to apply for a research and development programme to explore the use of plutonium in their reactors. The programme is being led by the US Department of Energy, in partnership with the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
The programme aims to provide a sustainable solution for the management of weapons-grade plutonium, which has been stockpiled for decades. The US government has estimated that there are over 70 tons of plutonium in storage, which poses a significant security risk.
Nuclear startups will be required to demonstrate that their proposed use of plutonium is safe and secure, and that it can be implemented on a commercial scale. The programme is expected to attract significant interest from companies and researchers in the nuclear sector.
The programme is seen as a significant step forward in reducing the threat of nuclear proliferation, and provides a new economic opportunity for the private sector. However, critics have raised concerns about the safety and security of using plutonium in commercial reactors.
The US government has faced criticism in the past for its handling of nuclear waste, and the programme has been welcomed by some as a positive step forward. However, others have expressed concerns about the potential risks and consequences of using plutonium in commercial reactors.