The Future of Plutonium
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U.S. Energy in the 21St Century: a Primer
U.S. Energy in the 21st Century: A Primer March 16, 2021 Congressional Research Service https://crsreports.congress.gov R46723 SUMMARY R46723 U.S. Energy in the 21st Century: A Primer March 16, 2021 Since the start of the 21st century, the U.S. energy system has changed tremendously. Technological advances in energy production have driven changes in energy consumption, and Melissa N. Diaz, the United States has moved from being a net importer of most forms of energy to a declining Coordinator importer—and a net exporter in 2019. The United States remains the second largest producer and Analyst in Energy Policy consumer of energy in the world, behind China. Overall energy consumption in the United States has held relatively steady since 2000, while the mix of energy sources has changed. Between 2000 and 2019, consumption of natural gas and renewable energy increased, while oil and nuclear power were relatively flat and coal decreased. In the same period, production of oil, natural gas, and renewables increased, while nuclear power was relatively flat and coal decreased. Overall energy production increased by 42% over the same period. Increases in the production of oil and natural gas are due in part to technological improvements in hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling that have facilitated access to resources in unconventional formations (e.g., shale). U.S. oil production (including natural gas liquids and crude oil) and natural gas production hit record highs in 2019. The United States is the largest producer of natural gas, a net exporter, and the largest consumer. Oil, natural gas, and other liquid fuels depend on a network of over three million miles of pipeline infrastructure. -
Table 2.Iii.1. Fissionable Isotopes1
FISSIONABLE ISOTOPES Charles P. Blair Last revised: 2012 “While several isotopes are theoretically fissionable, RANNSAD defines fissionable isotopes as either uranium-233 or 235; plutonium 238, 239, 240, 241, or 242, or Americium-241. See, Ackerman, Asal, Bale, Blair and Rethemeyer, Anatomizing Radiological and Nuclear Non-State Adversaries: Identifying the Adversary, p. 99-101, footnote #10, TABLE 2.III.1. FISSIONABLE ISOTOPES1 Isotope Availability Possible Fission Bare Critical Weapon-types mass2 Uranium-233 MEDIUM: DOE reportedly stores Gun-type or implosion-type 15 kg more than one metric ton of U- 233.3 Uranium-235 HIGH: As of 2007, 1700 metric Gun-type or implosion-type 50 kg tons of HEU existed globally, in both civilian and military stocks.4 Plutonium- HIGH: A separated global stock of Implosion 10 kg 238 plutonium, both civilian and military, of over 500 tons.5 Implosion 10 kg Plutonium- Produced in military and civilian 239 reactor fuels. Typically, reactor Plutonium- grade plutonium (RGP) consists Implosion 40 kg 240 of roughly 60 percent plutonium- Plutonium- 239, 25 percent plutonium-240, Implosion 10-13 kg nine percent plutonium-241, five 241 percent plutonium-242 and one Plutonium- percent plutonium-2386 (these Implosion 89 -100 kg 242 percentages are influenced by how long the fuel is irradiated in the reactor).7 1 This table is drawn, in part, from Charles P. Blair, “Jihadists and Nuclear Weapons,” in Gary A. Ackerman and Jeremy Tamsett, ed., Jihadists and Weapons of Mass Destruction: A Growing Threat (New York: Taylor and Francis, 2009), pp. 196-197. See also, David Albright N 2 “Bare critical mass” refers to the absence of an initiator or a reflector. -
Combating Illicit Trafficking in Nuclear and Other Radioactive Material Radioactive Other Traffickingand Illicit Nuclear Combating in 6 No
8.8 mm IAEA Nuclear Security Series No. 6 Technical Guidance Reference Manual IAEA Nuclear Security Series No. 6 in Combating Nuclear Illicit and Trafficking other Radioactive Material Combating Illicit Trafficking in Nuclear and other Radioactive Material This publication is intended for individuals and organizations that may be called upon to deal with the detection of and response to criminal or unauthorized acts involving nuclear or other radioactive material. It will also be useful for legislators, law enforcement agencies, government officials, technical experts, lawyers, diplomats and users of nuclear technology. In addition, the manual emphasizes the international initiatives for improving the security of nuclear and other radioactive material, and considers a variety of elements that are recognized as being essential for dealing with incidents of criminal or unauthorized acts involving such material. Jointly sponsored by the EUROPOL WCO INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY VIENNA ISBN 978–92–0–109807–8 ISSN 1816–9317 07-45231_P1309_CovI+IV.indd 1 2008-01-16 16:03:26 COMBATING ILLICIT TRAFFICKING IN NUCLEAR AND OTHER RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL REFERENCE MANUAL The Agency’s Statute was approved on 23 October 1956 by the Conference on the Statute of the IAEA held at United Nations Headquarters, New York; it entered into force on 29 July 1957. The Headquarters of the Agency are situated in Vienna. Its principal objective is “to accelerate and enlarge the contribution of atomic energy to peace, health and prosperity throughout the world’’. IAEA NUCLEAR SECURITY SERIES No. 6 TECHNICAL GUIDANCE COMBATING ILLICIT TRAFFICKING IN NUCLEAR AND OTHER RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL REFERENCE MANUAL JOINTLY SPONSORED BY THE EUROPEAN POLICE OFFICE, INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY, INTERNATIONAL POLICE ORGANIZATION, AND WORLD CUSTOMS ORGANIZATION INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY VIENNA, 2007 COPYRIGHT NOTICE All IAEA scientific and technical publications are protected by the terms of the Universal Copyright Convention as adopted in 1952 (Berne) and as revised in 1972 (Paris). -
A Fissile Material Cut-Off Treaty N I T E D Understanding the Critical Issues N A
U N I D I R A F i s s i l e M a A mandate to negotiate a treaty banning the production of fissile material t e r i for nuclear weapons has been under discussion in the Conference of a l Disarmament (CD) in Geneva since 1994. On 29 May 2009 the Conference C u on Disarmament agreed a mandate to begin those negotiations. Shortly t - o afterwards, UNIDIR, with the support of the Government of Switzerland, f f T launched a project to support this process. r e a t This publication is a compilation of various products of the project, y : that hopefully will help to illuminate the critical issues that will need to U n be addressed in the negotiation of a treaty that stands to make a vital d e r contribution to the cause of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. s t a n d i n g t h e C r i t i c a l I s s u e s UNITED NATIONS INSTITUTE FOR DISARMAMENT RESEARCH U A Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty N I T E D Understanding the Critical Issues N A Designed and printed by the Publishing Service, United Nations, Geneva T I GE.10-00850 – April 2010 – 2,400 O N UNIDIR/2010/4 S UNIDIR/2010/4 A Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty Understanding the Critical Issues UNIDIR United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research Geneva, Switzerland New York and Geneva, 2010 Cover image courtesy of the Offi ce of Environmental Management, US Department of Energy. -
A New Methodology for Determining Fissile Mass in Individual Accounting Items with the Use of Gamma-Ray Spectrometry*
BNL-67176 A NEW METHODOLOGY FOR DETERMINING FISSILE MASS IN INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNTING ITEMS WITH THE USE OF GAMMA-RAY SPECTROMETRY* Walter R. Kane, Peter E. Vanier, Peter B. Zuhoski, and James R. Lemley Brookhaven National Laboratory Building 197C, P. O. Box 5000, Upton, NY 11973-5000 USA 631/344-3841 FAX 631/344-7533 Abstract In the safeguards, arms control, and nonproliferation regimes measurements are required which give the quantity of fissile material in an accounting item, e.g., a standard container of plutonium or uranium oxide. Because of the complexity of modeling the absorption of gamma rays in high-Z materials, gamma-ray spectrometry is not customarily used for this purpose. Gamma-ray measurements can be used to determine the fissile mass when two conditions are met: 1. The material is in a standard container, and 2. The material is finely divided, or a solid item with a reproducible shape. The methodology consists of: A. Measurement of the emitted gamma rays, and B. Measurement of the transmission through the item of the high-energy gamma rays of Co-60 and Th-228. We have demonstrated that items containing nuclear materials possess a characteristic "fingerprint" of gamma rays which depends not only on the nuclear properties, but also on the mass, density, shape, etc.. The material's spectrum confirms its integrity, homogeneity, and volume as well. While there is attenuation of radiation from the interior, the residual radiation confirms the homogeneity of the material throughout the volume. Transmission measurements, where the attenuation depends almost entirely on Compton scattering, determine the material mass. -
Taylor Farms Achieves Industry First Sustainability Milestones in Energy Independence and Waste Conservation
Taylor Farms Achieves Industry First Sustainability Milestones in Energy Independence and Waste Conservation January 14th, 2020 Three facilities are now Total Resource Use and Efficiency (TRUE) platinum zero waste certified and more than 90 percent energy independent SALINAS, Calif. – Jan. 13, 2020 –Taylor Farms, North America’s leading producer of salads and healthy fresh foods, has received the U.S. Green Building Council TRUE platinum zero waste certification at three facilities in California while simultaneously achieving 90 percent energy independence from the utility grid through unique microgrid solutions. Together, their unique suite of investments and programs reduced 175,000 metric ton (MT) of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in just two years, equivalent to 37,000 cars off the road annually. The three facilities in Monterey County are the first fresh food facilities to achieve the highest level of TRUE zero waste certification, diverting over 95 percent of materials from the environment, incinerators and landfills. “Now more than ever before, we are noticing a shift in customers, consumers and business partners to be increasingly more aware of the source of their food and the sustainable practices behind that food production,” said Bruce Taylor, Chairman and CEO, Taylor Farms. “We are proud that Taylor Farms is at the forefront of developing and identifying sustainability practices that are breaking down barriers and establishing new norms within the industry. Consumers should be confident that our product offerings are helping them to lead healthy lives while contributing to a healthy environment and healthy communities.” “We commend Taylor Farms for their leadership and climate action achievements, which have made a positive impact in our shared sustainability journey.” Townsend Bailey, Director - North America Sustainability, McDonald’s Building an industry first groundbreaking microgrid and Environmental Management System (EMS) takes entrepreneurial drive and strategic partnerships. -
Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007: a Summary of Major Provisions
Order Code RL34294 Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007: A Summary of Major Provisions December 21, 2007 Fred Sissine, Coordinator Specialist in Energy Policy Resources, Science, and Industry Division Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007: A Summary of Major Provisions Summary The Energy Independence and Security Act (P.L. 110-140, H.R. 6) is an omnibus energy policy law that consists mainly of provisions designed to increase energy efficiency and the availability of renewable energy. This report describes the key provisions of the enacted law, summarizes the legislative action on H.R. 6, and provides a summary of the provisions under each of the titles in the law. The highlights of key provisions enacted into law are as follows: ! Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE). The law sets a target of 35 miles per gallon for the combined fleet of cars and light trucks by model year 2020. ! Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS). The law sets a modified standard that starts at 9.0 billion gallons in 2008 and rises to 36 billion gallons by 2022. ! Energy Efficiency Equipment Standards. The adopted bill includes a variety of new standards for lighting and for residential and commercial appliance equipment. The equipment includes residential refrigerators, freezers, refrigerator-freezers, metal halide lamps, and commercial walk-in coolers and freezers. ! Repeal of Oil and Gas Tax Incentives. The enacted law includes repeal of two tax subsidies in order to offset the estimated cost to implement the CAFE provision. The two most controversial provisions of H.R. 6 that were not included in the enacted law were the proposed Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (RPS) and most of the proposed tax provisions, which included repeal of tax subsidies for oil and gas and new incentives for energy efficiency and renewable energy. -
Hydropower Technologies Program — Harnessing America’S Abundant Natural Resources for Clean Power Generation
U.S. Department of Energy — Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Wind & Hydropower Technologies Program — Harnessing America’s abundant natural resources for clean power generation. Contents Hydropower Today ......................................... 1 Enhancing Generation and Environmental Performance ......... 6 Large Turbine Field-Testing ............................... 9 Providing Safe Passage for Fish ........................... 9 Improving Mitigation Practices .......................... 11 From the Laboratories to the Hydropower Communities ..... 12 Hydropower Tomorrow .................................... 14 Developing the Next Generation of Hydropower ............ 15 Integrating Wind and Hydropower Technologies ............ 16 Optimizing Project Operations ........................... 17 The Federal Wind and Hydropower Technologies Program ..... 19 Mission and Goals ...................................... 20 2003 Hydropower Research Highlights Alden Research Center completes prototype turbine tests at their facility in Holden, MA . 9 Laboratories form partnerships to develop and test new sensor arrays and computer models . 10 DOE hosts Workshop on Turbulence at Hydroelectric Power Plants in Atlanta . 11 New retrofit aeration system designed to increase the dissolved oxygen content of water discharged from the turbines of the Osage Project in Missouri . 11 Low head/low power resource assessments completed for conventional turbines, unconventional systems, and micro hydropower . 15 Wind and hydropower integration activities in 2003 aim to identify potential sites and partners . 17 Cover photo: To harness undeveloped hydropower resources without using a dam as part of the system that produces electricity, researchers are developing technologies that extract energy from free flowing water sources like this stream in West Virginia. ii HYDROPOWER TODAY Water power — it can cut deep canyons, chisel majestic mountains, quench parched lands, and transport tons — and it can generate enough electricity to light up millions of homes and businesses around the world. -
Energy Independence Act (IEIA) March 2017
Just the Facts: Incentives for Energy Independence Act (IEIA) March 2017 This fact sheet provides an overview of the Incentives for Energy Independence Act (IEIA) program. For a full discussion of the program requirements, please see KRS 154.27-010 through 154.27-090. As with all state administered tax incentive programs, any inducements offered to an eligible company under the IEIA program are negotiated by Cabinet for Economic Development officials and subject to approval of KEDFA. Eligible Companies Any company that constructs, retrofits, or upgrades a facility to: • Increase the production and sale of alternative transportation fuels • Increase the production and sale of synthetic natural gas, chemicals, chemical feed stocks, or liquid fuels, from coal, biomass resources, or waste coal through a gasification process • Increase the production and sale of energy-efficient alternative fuels. • Generate electricity for sale through alternative methods such as solar power, wind power, biomass resources, landfill methane gas, hydropower, or other renewable resources Eligible Projects Requirements to qualify for the incentives: • Alternative fuel facility or gasification facility that is carbon capture ready and uses oil shale, tar sands, or coal as the primary feedstock: the minimum capital investment is $100,000,000 • Alternative fuel facility or gasification facility that is carbon capture ready and uses biomass resources as the primary feedstock: the minimum capital investment is $25,000,000 • Energy-efficient alternative fuel facility that produces a homogeneous fuel from processes designed to densify feedstock coal, waste coal, or biomass resources. The minimum capital investment is $25,000,000. • Alternative fuel facility that uses natural gas or natural gas liquids as the primary feedstock. -
Chapter 1: Energy Challenges September 2015 1 Energy Challenges
QUADRENNIAL TECHNOLOGY REVIEW AN ASSESSMENT OF ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES AND RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES Chapter 1: Energy Challenges September 2015 1 Energy Challenges Energy is the Engine of the U.S. Economy Quadrennial Technology Review 1 1 Energy Challenges 1.1 Introduction The United States’ energy system, vast in size and increasingly complex, is the engine of the economy. The national energy enterprise has served us well, driving unprecedented economic growth and prosperity and supporting our national security. The U.S. energy system is entering a period of unprecedented change; new technologies, new requirements, and new vulnerabilities are transforming the system. The challenge is to transition to energy systems and technologies that simultaneously address the nation’s most fundamental needs—energy security, economic competitiveness, and environmental responsibility—while providing better energy services. Emerging advanced energy technologies can do much to address these challenges, but further improvements in cost and performance are important.1 Carefully targeted research, development, demonstration, and deployment (RDD&D) are essential to achieving these improvements and enabling us to meet our nation’s energy objectives. This report, the 2015 Quadrennial Technology Review (QTR 2015), examines science and technology RDD&D opportunities across the entire U.S. energy system. It focuses primarily on technologies with commercialization potential in the mid-term and beyond. It frames various tradeoffs that all energy technologies must balance, across such dimensions as diversity and security of supply, cost, environmental impacts, reliability, land use, and materials use. Finally, it provides data and analysis on RDD&D pathways to assist decision makers as they set priorities, subject to budget constraints, to develop more secure, affordable, and sustainable energy services. -
Global Fissile Material Report 2006 a Table of Contents
IPF M Global Fis sile Material Report Developing the technical basis for policy initiatives to secure and irreversibly reduce stocks of nuclear weapons and fissile materials 2006 Over the past six decades, our understanding of the nuclear danger has expanded from the threat posed by the vast nuclear arsenals created by the super- powers in the Cold War to encompass the prolifera- tion of nuclear weapons to additional states and now also to terrorist groups. To reduce this danger, it is essential to secure and to sharply reduce all stocks of highly enriched uranium and separated plutonium, the key materials in nuclear weapons, and to limit any further production. The mission of the IPFM is to advance the technical basis for cooperative international policy initiatives to achieve these goals. A report published by Global Fissile The International Panel on Fissile Materials (IPFM) www.fissilematerials.org Program on Science and Global Security Princeton University Material Report 2006 221 Nassau Street, 2nd Floor Princeton, NJ 08542, USA First report of the International Panel on Fissile Materials First report of the International Panel on Fissile Materials Developing the Technical Basis for Policy Initiatives to Secure and Irreversibly Reduce Stocks of Nuclear Weapons and Fissile Materials www.fissilematerials.org Global Fissile Material Report 2006 a Table of Contents About the IPFM 1 Summary 2 I. Background 5 1 Fissile Materials and Nuclear Weapons 6 2 Nuclear-Weapon and Fissile-Material Stocks 12 3 Production and Disposition of Fissile -
Is Energy Independence Possible in the United States?
September 2013 IS ENERGY INDEPENDENCE POSSIBLE IN THE UNITED STATES? Eyal Aronoff, Gal Sitty, Nathan Taft IS ENERGY INDEPENDENCE POSSIBLE IN THE UNITED STATES? Eyal Aronoff, Gal Sitty, Nathan Taft Fuel Freedom Foundation 18100 Von Karman Avenue, Suite 870 Irvine, California 92612 Abstract This study investigates whether or not energy independence in the United States is possible in terms of quadrillion British thermal units (QBTU) and/or balance of payments in dollars. We used data from the U.S. government-based Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2013 annual energy outlook report [citation]. EIA data suggested that energy independence in both energy balance in QBTU and in balance of payments is unattainable in the foreseeable future. The conclusion of the study is that without mass adoption of natural gas and biomass as feedstock for transportation fuels to replace oil, the US and its economy will both be dependent on foreign oil and will be forced comply with the inflated prices set by the oil market. In addition even with the projected increased growth of domestic oil production the total cost of oil import will continue to top $300 billion a year. In other words, any projected increase in oil production will be eclipsed by larger projected increase in oil price. Contents Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….1 Methods………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….2 Results…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….6 Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………9