Dangerous New Nuclear Program

As expected, the Bush administration requested $250 million to jumpstart a reprocessing program. "Reprocessing" separates weapons-usable plutonium from other nuclear waste contained in used, or "spent," fuel generated by U.S. power reactors. It would require the construction and operation of a vast array of nuclear facilities. It would also make disposing of nuclear waste more difficult, encourage other countries to reprocess, and cost a tremendous amount of money. It also makes it easier for terrorists to acquire plutonium, which can be readily used to make a nuclear bomb.

UCS activists sent nearly 45,000 letters to Congress opposing this new and dangerous Bush administration initiative. Many members of Congress, both Republicans and Democrats, have expressed concerns about the proposal. For example, Representative Joe Barton, the Republican chair of the energy committee, expressed strong reservations about the program, and said he was unsure he would support it.

Representative David Hobson, the Republican chair of the key committee that will decide funding for the program, was our champion in defeating the Robust Nuclear Earth Penetrator, or bunker buster. He told reporters that congressional support for funding for the program will depend on how good a job the administration does in selling the program. Meanwhile, Democrats like Senators Hilary Clinton and Mary Landrieu have come out strongly against the program.

Look for further alerts on this issue at critical times in the coming weeks and months, as the congressional process goes forward.