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Trump Executive Order to Give Weapons-Grade Plutonium to Nuclear Startups Raises Security Concerns
Key Takeaways
- Trump's Executive Order 14302 directs DOE to give 20 metric tons of weapons-grade plutonium to five nuclear startups.
- The plutonium is enough for about 2,000 Nagasaki-type bombs, raising proliferation concerns.
- Senator Ed Markey opposes the plan, citing security risks, economic infeasibility, and conflict of interest (Energy Secretary Chris Wright served on Oklo's board).
- No commercial reactor currently exists to use this fuel, and the plan reverses 50 years of U.S. nonproliferation policy.
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DT Editorial Team··via cleantechnica.com