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13 March 2003

U.S. to Help Russia Close Three Remaining Plutonium Reactors

(Energy Secretary Abraham signs agreements in Moscow) (550)
U.S. Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham and Russian Minister of Atomic
Energy Aleksandr Rumyantsev signed agreements in Moscow March 12 to
facilitate the closure of three Russian nuclear reactors in Siberia
that produce weapons-grade plutonium.
The reactors, in Seversk and Zheleznogorsk, also produce heat and
electricity for those cities. The United States will assist Russia in
either refurbishing the existing facilities or constructing new
facilities that will use fossil fuel energy instead.
Following is an Energy Department press release on the agreement:
(begin text)
Department of Energy
Washington, D.C.
www.energy.gov
March 12, 2003
U.S. AND RUSSIA AGREE TO PLAN TO SHUTDOWN THREE REMAINING RUSSIAN
PLUTONIUM PRODUCTION REACTORS
Energy Secretary Abraham Says Agreement is an "Important Achievement
in U.S.-Russia Nonproliferation Program"
VIENNA, AUSTRIA -- U.S. Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham and
Russian Minister of Atomic Energy Aleksandr Rumyantsev signed
agreements today that will facilitate the shutdown of three Russian
nuclear reactors, that currently produce weapons-grade plutonium.
These reactors, which are the last three reactors in Russia that
produce plutonium for military purposes, also provide necessary heat
and electricity to two Russian "closed cities" in the Russian nuclear
weapons complex.
Under the agreements, the United States will provide support to the
Russian Federation for provision of replacement fossil energy plants.
"This is an important step in advancing our nonproliferation programs
between the United States and Russia," Abraham said. "Replacing these
reactors with fossil fuel energy is critical in eliminating the
production of weapons-grade plutonium in Russia and closing these
facilities. Russia and the United States have enjoyed a good
relationship. Minister Rumyantsev is an able partner and I appreciate
his effective leadership."
The Implementing Agreement details the rights and responsibilities of
each country regarding U.S. assistance for the construction and
refurbishment of the fossil fuel plants. In Seversk, an existing
fossil fuel plant will be modernized. In Zheleznogorsk, the
construction of a new facility will be required. The Russian
Federation will be responsible for the shutdown and decommissioning of
the three existing nuclear reactors.
The new agreement will allow for the implementation of the Elimination
of Weapons-Grade Plutonium Production Program, which is a cooperative
effort between the U.S. Department of Energy and the Russian Ministry
of Atomic Energy.
The three reactors are located in the cities of Seversk and
Zheleznogorsk in Siberia. The reactors have approximately 15 years of
remaining life and, as a group, could generate an additional 25 metric
tons of plutonium, the equivalent of approximately one additional
nuclear weapon per day.
The three reactors will continue to operate until the
fossil-replacement plants are completed and begin operations.
Recently, Abraham announced that the Bush Administration has requested
$1.3 billion for nuclear nonproliferation program spending in its
fiscal year 2004 budget submission to Congress. This is a 30 percent
increase over the 2003 budget request.
"During the last two years, this Administration has been aggressive on
many fronts in its pursuit of effective nonproliferation -
unilaterally, bilaterally with Russia, multilaterally with the G-8 and
internationally with the International Atomic Energy Agency," Abraham
said.
Media Contact:
Joe Davis, (+43) 1664-8117619 (mobile)
Dolline Hatchett, 202/586-5806
Release No. PR-03-055
(end text)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)