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Bodman on Nuclear Expansion and Nuclear Security

By Eric McErlain
From a speech by Energy Secretary Sam Bodman delivered last week at the Sandia Labs International Security Conference:
The need for expanding nuclear energy production is clear. The International Energy Agency predicts that global demand for energy will rise by about 60 percent over the next 25 years, and that two-thirds of the increase will come from developing nations. Countries like China already have begun building emission-free nuclear plants to help meet future energy needs.

But with broader use of nuclear power comes greater responsibility. The nuclear energy sector’s top priority must always be safety -- avoiding accidents -- and security -- preventing the malicious use of nuclear technology and materials. This is more than a slogan. The concepts approved for Generation IV development are those that optimize safety and proliferation resistance. Proliferation resistance is also a goal of a common Action Plan adopted in 2002 by six U.S. National Laboratories, including our hosts at Sandia.

As we develop tomorrow’s nuclear energy systems, we must continue to address the risks of nuclear technology in use today. One major area of concern is uranium enrichment and reprocessing facilities, which are integral to the commercial nuclear sector… but also can enable their users to make weapons. We know that dangerous regimes, including those with ties to terrorism, seek these capabilities. Yet, judging by what is now known about illicit nuclear purchases by Iran and Libya, these capabilities are far too accessible today. I believe we all can agree that this needs to change.

In addtion, Secretary Bodman announced that the Department of Energy would host a conference in conjunction with the nuclear fuel sector to better coordinate non-proliferation efforts.

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