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

Nuclear Nonproliferation

Our mission is to safeguard our country and the world. Y‑12's Nuclear Nonproliferation programs play a critical role in securing our nation and the globe and in combating the spread of weapons of mass destruction. Our contributions include the following:

  • Removing sensitive materials and equipment from countries such as Libya
  • Providing peaceful employment for scientists who formerly worked in Soviet weapons facilities
  • Working to convert the world's research reactors from highly enriched uranium fuel to low-enriched uranium fuel
  • Providing fuel to research reactors
  • Downblending weapon-grade material
  • Disposing of surplus highly enriched uranium in a safe, secure, and environmentally acceptable way

Global Threat Reduction — Y‑12 is uniquely qualified to assist in removing and securing special nuclear threats around the globe.

Material for Peaceful Uses — Y‑12 creates innovative solutions that use weapons‑grade enriched uranium for peaceful uses (e.g., commercial nuclear power, material science, and medical applications).

Material Disposition — Y‑12's Highly Enriched Uranium Disposition Program Office provides technical support, program planning and implementation of the down blending of surplus highly enriched uranium (HEU) for the National Nuclear Security Administration Office of Fissile Materials Disposition.

HEU Disposition Program Office — Y‑12's HEU Disposition Program Office is the "Lead Lab" supporting the Department of Energy to oversee the final disposition of surplus fissile material.

International Nonproliferation Program — Over the last few years, Y‑12 has had business arrangements and supported nonproliferation missions in more than 25 countries.