Russia and the United States signed the liability protocol that will cover the plutonium disposition project. The immediate effect of this will be a renewed effort to begin construction of a MOX fabrication facility at the Savannah River Site. It is unclear though if it will help to stimulate the Russian part of the project - Russia wants to burn its plutonium in breeders and the United States has been reluctant to pay for it.
Comments
What is the significance of this protocol? Will Russian plutonium be burned in the US?
No, at this point the protocol will not change the situation with Russian plutonium. It will allow the U.S. to proceed with its plutonium disposition program.
Thanks Pavel.