Global Threat Reduction - President George W. Bush examines the shipment of Libyan nuclear materials surrendered to the United States and stored at Y-12.
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Global Threat Reduction

Y‑12 is uniquely qualified to assist in removing and securing special nuclear threats around the globe. These Y‑12 skills and assets can provide a comprehensive response to radiological and nuclear material vulnerabilities anywhere in the world on short notice. Y‑12 has supported activities in Kazakhstan, Republic of Georgia, Russia, Libya and other countries.

A major and growing National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) mission is Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation (DNN). The DNN work is diverse and international and requires that Y‑12 have an external focus to better understand how its expertise can be best used. Y‑12 has made significant contributions to DNN initiatives that play a critical role in national and international security and captured headlines with the removal of sensitive materials and equipment from Libya and other locations. Over the last few years, Y‑12 has had business arrangements and supported DNN missions in more than 25 countries.

In addition to material removal and safeguards and security activities, Y‑12 has entered into low-enriched uranium supply contracts during the last two years for research reactors in countries such as Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Japan, Romania, South Korea and The Netherlands. These reactors provide the research for nuclear technologies to be applied to the next generation of commercial power reactors.

Many of these reactors also produce critical medical isotopes needed for diagnostics and the treatment of cancer.

Besides obvious benefits, Y‑12's contracts have strategic importance for NNSA's DNN efforts to convert the world's research reactors from highly enriched uranium fuel to low-enriched uranium (LEU) fuel and the downblending of highly enriched uranium to LEU fuel. Second, the uranium supply provides revenues to the U.S. Treasury. Third, personal relationships and contracts with foreign reactor personnel are an excellent avenue for international cooperation and support the Global Threat Reduction Initiative announced by Energy Secretary Abraham in May 2004.

For more information, email Morris Hassler or call 865.576.8136.