*EPF411 03/13/2003
Text: 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:

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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

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(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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