Yes they did, but I still think that getting rid of any excess nuclear material and waste would be a goal that the US and the DOD in particular would strive for?
The US has already spent a fortune on just temporary storage for UNF, it has also spent a fortune on Yuccah Mountain, which looks as if they would need ten of those to get rid of all the nuclear waste in the US
Besides the MOX plant at SRNL is well into construction, the existing reactor people don't want the old MOX fuel, that is a given, if this new MOX is basically the same as ordinary LEU then they should not have a problem with it.
The old system for the MOX plant wasn't really going anywhere, they have already spent a motza on it, I do believe a handsome stranger did come along, only it was to the DOD/Areva's benefit, OK and probably ours as well, so perhaps there you have your handsome stranger SK? only there may be two as it turns out?
I do think most of us knew that the DOE was in the drivers seat, I can see why now, but if I am right , this new fuel will be for all BWR's in the US, not just Vogtle.
And for those that think that they would need a reprocessing plant at SRNL?
Well it would seem that they already have one?
http://srnl.doe.gov/tech_transfer/tech_briefs/SRNL_TechBriefs_Oxide_Reduction.pdf
SRNL_TechBriefs_Oxide_Reduction.pdf
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