Surplus Plutonium Disposition: NNSA’s Long-Term Plutonium Oxide Production Plans Are Uncertain
GAO-20-166: Published: Oct 23, 2019. Publicly Released: Oct 23, 2019.
The National Nuclear Security Administration manages 57.2 metric tons of surplus plutonium. NNSA’s plan was to:
Convert much of it into a plutonium oxide powder in New Mexico
Ship the powder to South Carolina for dilution
Ship diluted oxide back to New Mexico for disposal
These plans are uncertain because of competing demands at the conversion facility. Also, shipments to South Carolina may be delayed because NNSA is prioritizing plutonium removal from the state in order to meet a legal requirement. NNSA officials said they are working on addressing these issues, for example, by speeding up plutonium shipments out of South Carolina.
Document linked here: https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-20-166