The Robert S. Strauss Center for International Security and Law welcomed Dr. Raymond Juzaitis, Dr. Edwin Lyman and Dr. Steve Biegalski on November 20, 2008, to discuss nuclear nonproliferation. Dr. Charles Groat, Jackson Chair in Energy and Mineral Resources and Strauss Center Senior Fellow, introduced the panelists and moderated the discussion.

Dr. Juzaitis opened the panel discussion by stating that a nuclear renaissance is underway in terms of supplying the world’s increasing energy needs. After providing statistical data on current usage levels of nuclear power across the globe, Dr. Juzaitis then described the efforts of various nations to deal with nuclear waste. Dr. Juzaitis noted that the U.S. has abdicated its leadership role in terms of technology innovation in the area of nuclear fuel recycling.

Dr. Lyman expressed reservations about the existence of the nuclear renaissance, suggesting that nuclear power should not be relied upon until more effective safety standards are put in place. Dr. Lyman set forth conditions that must be met to reduce the risk of nuclear proliferation and the acquirement of nuclear materials by terrorist organizations before the nuclear renaissance should take place. Dr. Lyman then discussed the merits of the Global Energy Partnership Program, stating that it will continue to be a pressing issue in the Obama Administration.

Dr. Biegalski described growing energy needs on a global scale, noting that wind and solar power are not currently capable of serving all future energy needs. Between the options of coal and nuclear-based energy, nuclear power represents the more efficient, environmentally sound means of providing energy. Dr. Biegalski described the problem of nations becoming increasingly reliant on nuclear reactors that produce plutonium. To address this and prevent the proliferation of plutonium waste, Dr. Biegalski advocated an international effort to control and monitor every stage of the nuclear fuel development cycles. Regarding nuclear waste, Dr. Biegalski described the importance of U.S. leadership on the global stage in terms of finding an environmentally sound and controllable means of disposing nuclear waste.

Dr. Groat then invited the panelists to discuss one another’s remarks. Dr. Juzaitis discussed the merits of nuclear waste recycling. Dr. Lyman addressed some of the shortcomings of nuclear waste reprocessing, noting that current recycling processes do not offer substantial waste reduction. Dr. Biegalski agreed about the shortcomings of nuclear waste reprocessing, but expressed optimism about its future viability. The panelists concluded the discussion by discussing the future of nuclear nonproliferation and nuclear waste reprocessing.

Watch the panel below:

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