Disposing of the world's excess plutonium

We undertake three key objectives in addressing the issue of plutonium disp osition at the end of the Cold War. First, we estimate the total global inv entory of plutonium both from weapons dismantlement and civil nuclear paver reactors. Second, we review past and current policy toward handling this m etal by the United States, Russia, and other key countries. Third, we evalu ate the feasibility of several options (but especially the vitrification an d mixed oxide fuel options announced by the Clinton administration) for dis posing of the increasing amounts of plutonium available today. To undertake this analysis, we consider both the political and scientific p roblems confronting policymakers in dealing with this global plutonium issu e. Interview data with political and technical officials in Washington and at the international Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna, Austria, and empirical inventory data on plutonium from a variety of sources form the basis of ou r analysis.