The National Academies and the Russian Academy of Sciences
Study on Internationalization of the Nuclear Fuel Cycle

The U.S. National Academies and the Russian Academy of Sciences are undertaking a joint study to assess the technical, economic, legal/regulatory, and non-proliferation criteria necessary for the implementation of an international civilian nuclear fuel cycle. More specifically, the study will address both institutional and technical questions concerning schemes for international fuel cycles.

This study will be carried out in two phases. In Phase I, the committees will identify distinct strategies that represent the range of fuel cycle options and gather the key technical and legal/regulatory and other information needed to analyze those options. This information-gathering stage will culminate with an international workshop to be held in the spring of 2007, at the IAEA. The workshop will include participation by IAEA experts and others representing nuclear fuel supplier and consumer countries. In Phase II, the committees will carry out the analysis and offer consensus findings and recommendations in a final report on the criteria necessary to achieve an international fuel cycle beneficial for suppliers and consumers alike, and supportive of international non-proliferation efforts. The results of the joint study will be shared widely in the U.S., Russia, and abroad, including the IAEA.