Improving the Assessment of the Proliferation Risk of Nuclear Fuel Cycles

This study originated from a joint request from the Department of Energy Office of Nuclear Energy (DOE-NE) and the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Office of Nonproliferation and International Security to understand the extent to which technical analysis of proliferation risk could be improved for policy makers.

The book brought together nonproliferation policy decision makers and key technical developers of proliferation assessment tools.
The material that sustains the nuclear reactions that produce energy can also be used to make nuclear weapons—and therefore, the development of nuclear energy is one of multiple pathways to proliferation for a non-nuclear weapon state. There is a tension between the development of future nuclear fuel cycles and managing the risk of proliferation as the number of existing and future nuclear energy systems expands throughout the world.

CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
SUMMARY
1. BACKGROUND AND INTRODUCTION
2. KEY PROLIFERATION POLICY QUESTIONS
3. UTILITY OF PROLIFERATION ASSESSMENTS
4. APPLICATION OF OTHER RISK METHODOLOGIES
5. IDENTIFICATION OF R&D FOR IMPROVING ASSESSMENTS
6. COMMUNICATION OF PROLIFERATION RISK
REFERENCES
APPENDICES
A: Biographical Sketches of Committee Members
B: Evaluation of Predefined Frameworks
C: Statement of Task
D: Presentations and Committee Meetings
E: Glossary and Acronyms