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Smaller methods of uranium enrichment bring bigger risks of nuclear weapons spread

some of the new technologies could represent proliferation game changers because they would lead to smaller, more efficient methods for production and use of nuclear materials that would be more difficult to detect,”

US physicists call for change in nuclear licensing – physicsworld.com, Peter Gwynne, 5 July 2010, The American Physical Society (APS) is urging the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to change its licensing rules over fears that smaller, more efficient ways of enriching uranium will increase the risk of nuclear proliferation.

The APS wants the NRC to force anyone applying for licences to submit a “proliferation review” as part of their submission. The NRC, which over the next few years is expected to be reviewing new licence applications for new nuclear technologies including the use of lasers to separate uranium isotopes, has given no immediate reaction. ”
The APS’s concern stems from a report – Technical Steps to Support Nuclear Arsenal Downsizing – that its Panel on Public Affairs issued in February..

….”The study group found that some of the new technologies could represent proliferation game changers because they would lead to smaller, more efficient methods for production and use of nuclear materials that would be more difficult to detect,” the APS’s petition to the NRC states. Other organizations have also recognized the danger. Both the International Atomic Energy Authority and the US National Nuclear Security Agency have established programmes to spot new technologies, including laser enrichment, that have proliferation potential…

…The APS calls for the NRC to require that licence applications for fuel cycle facilities contain a “proliferation review” that should include “sufficient technical information to permit an assessment of the risks that construction and operation of the proposed facility might pose.” If the NRC accepts the petition, it will probably call for public comments on the proposed new rule.US physicists call for change in nuclear licensing – physicsworld.com

July 6, 2010 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | safety, USA | antinuclear, enriched, nuclear wastes, nuclear weapons, uranium