ML19347F141
| ML19347F141 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 05/08/1981 |
| From: | Hendrie J NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| To: | Simpson A SENATE, ENVIRONMENT & PUBLIC WORKS |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8105150317 | |
| Download: ML19347F141 (1) | |
Text
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, [:4-UNITED STATES j.. W ), [
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
<; '$, a j
W ASHIN GTON, D.C. 20555
,sas May 8, 1981 OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Alan Simpson, Chairman Subcommittee on Nuclear Regulation Committee on Environment and Public Works United States Senate Washington,-D.C.
20510
Dear Mr. Chairman:
The Department of Er.crgy, along with the Department of State and the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, has for some time supported and provided funding for the Reduced-Enrichment in Research and Test Reactors (RERTR) Program.
The NRC also has supported and monitored this program and has a strong interest in its timely completion.
As you know, this program was undertaken to facilitate a significant reduction in US-supplied inventories of highly-enriched uranium (HEU) at dispersed sites of research and test reactors abroad.
Reducing the quantities of weapons-grade enriched uranium in circulation will cont *-ibute significantly to the reduction of worldwide safeguards and proliferation c:,acerns.
The program includes a number of joint activities designed to demonstrate the feasibility.of utilizing medium-enriched (MEU 45%) and low-enriched (LEU N19.85%)
fuels in s';ch reactors.
Operators of research reactors in a number of foreign nations have agreed te participate in joint analytical studies and/or experimental verification activities in support of this U.S. nonproliferation initiative.
Since conversion to LEU fuels would be est effective, the potential efficacy of such fuels for the majority of research reactor applications should be established promptly.
It-has come to the Commission's attention that the budget allocations for this program may be reduced to levels which may preclude timely achievement of program objectives.
The resulting deferral could undermine both the credibility of U.S.
policy in the international nuclear community and the potential for future foreign cooperation and support of other nuclear technical initiatives which the U.S.
might wish to propose.
This applies particularly to those countries which have made major commitments to this program as a result of U.S. pressure.
We urge your consideration of a funding level for the RERTR Program that would percit its expeditious completion and the benefits of the program in terms of significant reductions in HEU exports from the U.S. to be realized.
Sincerely, g
T ilnseph M. Hendrie s
Chairman i
cc:
Senator Gary Hart 81051503N