Reprocessing: Poised for growth, or on death's door?
Some
observers believe that plutonium reprocessing is on the verge of an
expansion—while others argue that the end of the practice is in sight.
The risk of nuclear proliferation has always been the chief objection to
reprocessing, but proponents argue that today, with uranium enrichment
technology more easily available, reprocessing no longer represents an
efficient route toward nuclear weapons. Supporters also tout the energy
security that reprocessing could provide to nations without indigenous
uranium sources and the reductions in high-level nuclear waste that
reprocessing might achieve. Opponents counter that reprocessing offers
only marginal benefits in waste reduction and in any event makes little
economic sense. Taking into account issues ranging from proliferation to
nuclear waste to cost, how should nations approach plutonium
reprocessing?http://thebulletin.org/reprocessing-poised-growth-or-deaths-door8185
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