Resources on U.S. Plutonium Disposition

Reducing global stockpiles of weapons-usable material is an essential component to preventing the spread of nuclear weapons and avoiding the catastrophe of nuclear terrorism. The U.S. has already identified over 34 metric tons of weapons grade plutonium as excess to defense needs and is working to dispose of that material.

With the Cold War behind them, the United States and Russia pledged to eliminate excess weapons-grade plutonium in order to prevent its theft or diversion for illegal nuclear programs and to prevent its reincorporation into their weapons programs. From a nonproliferation standpoint, plutonium is of the greatest concern because only 8 kilograms are needed to make a nuclear bomb. The United States and Russia each declared 50 metric tons of plutonium to be surplus to their security needs. In September 2000, both countries signed the Plutonium Management and Disposition Agreement (PMDA), in which they committed to transform 34 metric tons each of excess military plutonium into a proliferation-resistant form over the course of 20 years. The United States continues to pursue the aims of the PMDA through the dilute and dispose approach.

This page provides a collection of resources related to dilute and dispose. It includes analysis of the advantages and challenges of previous mixed oxide fuel approach, the management and disposition of plutonium, and resources for further reading on plutonium disposition.

Resources

• NTI: Memo on Plutonium Disposition. 2019.
• “Dilution and Disposal of Surplus Plutonium at WIPP: A White Paper on Potential Host Nation Diversion.” 2018.
• “Strengthening National and International Plutonium Management: Challenges and Opportunities” by John Carlson. 2018.
• NTI: Pro-MOX Arguments and Rebuttals by Andrew Newman and Alex Bednarek. 2018.
• ANS Global Paper: “Security and Proliferation Risks Associated with Management of Spent Nuclear Fuel” by Alex Bednarek and Andrew Newman. 2019.
• Russia’s Policies and Approach to Plutonium Management, Use and Disposition by Dmitry Kovchegin. 2020.
• National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine: “Review of the Department of Energy’s Plans for Disposal of Surplus Plutonium in the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant.” 2020
• Department of Energy: “Final Report of the Plutonium Disposition Red Team.” 2015.
• Department of Energy: “Report of the Plutonium Disposition Working Group: Analysis of Surplus Weapon‐Grade Plutonium Disposition Options.” 2014.
• National Nuclear Security Administration: “Report to Congress: Disposition of Surplus Defense Plutonium at Savannah River Site.” 2002.
• NTI Paper: “The Case for a Pause in Reprocessing in East Asia: Economic Aspects” by John Carlson. August 2016
• Plutonium Management and Disposition Agreement. 2000.
• National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine: “Management and Disposition of Excess Weapons Plutonium.” 1994.