In recent years interest in nuclear energy in the United States and internationally has taken on new dimensions. In 2006, the United States unveiled the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP), which promotes the development of reprocessing and fast reactor technology which would increase the production and use of nuclear-weapons usable material (or material that could be easily processed for use in nuclear weapons). The Department of Energy is seeking over $300 million for research and development of reprocessing and fast reactor technology. Meanwhile, countries, including Canada, South Africa, South Korea have expressed interest in developing sensitive nuclear fuel cycle technology. Over 40 countries, including Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Egypt, have expressed interest in pursuing nuclear energy. What are the proliferation risks of this new momentum?
On June 23,2008, the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation and the Center for Arms Control sponsored a briefing titled Toward Nuclear Weapons Capability for All? Proliferation Risks of the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership and Growing International Interest in Nuclear Technology. The speakers addressed the proliferation risks of GNEP and the increasing interest in nuclear energy, the financial costs associated with nuclear energy, reprocessing and fast reactors, past efforts to develop these technologies for commercial use, findings from the recent National Academy of Sciences and Government Accountability Office reports, and recommendations for policy alternatives to help prevent the spread of sensitive fuel cycle technologies.
Speaking at the Senate briefing were three experts on GNEP-related issues: Dr. Frank von Hippel, Co-Chair of the International Panel on Fissile Materials; Dr. Allison Macfarlane, member of the 2007 National Academy of Sciences review panel on GNEP; and Henry D. Sokolski, Executive Director of the Nonproliferation Policy Education Center.
The speakers' presentations are available for download using the links below. |
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