From its inception, the core conversion project has fostered an atmosphere of teamwork between the United States and Russia. Developing a joint work plan for conversion of the Russian production reactors has required an extraordinary measure of openness and cooperation between the two countries. Some of the key accomplishments by the joint study team are discussed below.

Phase 1 -- U.S./Russian Joint Feasibility Study

In 1995, the U.S. technical team visited the Russian production reactor sites in Siberia. This was the first time that the U.S. had been granted access to these operating reactors. Then, in December of that year, the joint study team collaborated to complete the Phase 1 Core Conversion Feasibility Study. The study concluded that converting the Russian production reactors to heat and electricity-producing units, while at the same time eliminating the reactors' ability to produce weapons-grade plutonium, was feasible.

Phase 2 -- Design, Analyses, Testing and Regulatory Review/Approval

Based on the promising results of the Phase 1 Core Conversion Feasibility Study, the Gore-Chernomyrdin Commission decided to proceed with Phase 2 activities in January 1996. The core conversion Phase 2 work was initiated in October 1996.

During 1997, all design and safety analyses scheduled in Phase 2 were initiated, critical assembly testing was completed, GAN licensing requirements were documented, and the design requirements were submitted to GAN and approved.

On September 23, 1997, the Plutonium Production Reactor Agreement between the United States and Russia was signed by Vice President Gore and Prime Minister Chornomyrdin, and the Core Conversion Implementing Agreement was signed between the U.S. Department of Defense and the Russian Ministry of Atomic Energy. The cost of the Core Conversion Project is estimated to be about $150 million. The U.S. Department of Defense intends to provide up to $80 million to meet the U.S. responsibilities for the project.

During 1998 and 1999, the fuel and absorber designs will be completed, in-reactor prototype fuel and absorber tests will be initiated, designs for reactor cores and plant modifications, as well as those for the fuel and absorber fabrication facility, will be completed. A detailed engineering cost and schedule estimate for implementing these modifications will be developed by February 1999.

Conclusions

U.S./Russian core conversion team members discuss design features at Russian plutonium production reactor site.

The United States and Russia are working together to convert the cores of Russia's last three operating plutonium production reactors to a fuel design that will eliminate weapons-grade plutonium production, while still providing required heat and electricity.

After these reactors have been converted, they will continue to generate critically needed heat and electricity for the cities of Seversk and Zheleznogorsk and surrounding regions. The converted reactors will also burn Russian enriched uranium, which will urther reduce the stockpile of weapons-grade materials. Finally, core conversion will improve nuclear safety at the Russian production reactors.

The cooperative efforts of the U.S. and Russian teams on this project are producing results that enhance international security and meet the needs of the local populace.