International Teamwork – RTG Recoveries and Disposals

Joint US-Canadian Presentation Christopher C. Landers

U.S. Department of Energy&

Nicole C. EvansCanadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

April 24, 2008Moscow, Russia

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Defense Nuclear NonproliferationOutline

• RTG Recoveries

• RTG Infrastructure

• Accelerating Cooperation

• International RTG Teamwork

• Framework for Cooperative RTG Recoveries

• Canadian/U.S. Cooperation on RTG Recoveries

• Working with GTRI

• Future Efforts

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Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation

Through 2007 the following RTG recoveries were completed:– Norway--153– U.S.--146– Canada--15

• 10 RTGs were completed through the U.S. Department of Energy Global Threat Reduction Initiative (GTRI) and 5 were through Norway

– Russia--12– France--8

• Recoveries were completed through Norway

• Planned RTG recoveries in 2008:– U.S.--73– Norway--27– France--20 – Canada--10 (through US GTRI program)– Russia--3

RTG Recoveries

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Defense Nuclear NonproliferationRTG Infrastructure

• U.S.– Refurbished and enlarged quantity of RTG transportation containers– Funded development of an RTG database– Funded development and deployment of over 100 alternative energy systems– Funded procurement and installation of alarms for 25 RTGs in the Baltic Sea– Funded construction of the DalRAO-1 and DalRAO-2 storage facilities

• DalRAO-1 is able to store ~ 250 RTGs and DalRAO-2 is able to store ~ 25 RTGs– Funded construction of a mobile temporary storage building to be used when needed

to support RTG recoveries • The mobile temporary storage building is able to store ~15 RTGs

• Canada– Funded the development of the RTG Master Plan

• The information provided in this plan has served as a basis for developing future plans and strategies to address all RTGs in Russia, including the RTG Action Plan.

– Funded manufacturing of 17 transportation containers and 16 security shielding containers, and procured 20 sling sets

– Funded deployment of 15 alternative energy systems

In addition to RTG recoveries, both the U.S. and Canada have funded various efforts to develop an infrastructure to recover RTGs.

Such activities include:

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Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation

• The continuing urgency attached to recovering RTGs has led GTRI to increase its funding for and is working to accelerate the recovery of RTGs in Russia.

• To better coordinate recovery activities with the international community, GTRI developed the RTG Action Plan consultation with Rosatom. The RTG Action Plan is based upon the important inter-agency Russian efforts in the RTG Master Plan.

• The plan provides international partners with:– a detailed understanding of the activities completed to date– an outline of the activities required to address all remaining

RTG related issues in Russia by 2015

Accelerating Cooperation

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Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation

• Many countries such as Russia, the U.S., Canada, Norway and France are working to address the recovery of RTGs throughout Russia.

• Canada has served as a leading example for how to complete RTG recoveries effectively utilizing the full resources of the international community by selecting the most effective and appropriate mechanism.– Canada has completed RTG recoveries in cooperation with both

Norway and the U.S.– By working through existing mechanisms, additional funding was

able to be used for RTG project removal rather than project management.

• Continued international cooperation as demonstrated by Canada is key to ensure a swift and safe resolution to the threat posed by unsecured RTGs throughout Russia.

International RTG Teamwork

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Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation

•Contributors have two options for funding RTG recoveries:

1) work bilaterally with Russia to fund activities

2) provide funding to international partners, such as GTRI, using existing mechanisms to work with Russia to complete activities • Contributors will receive full credit for RTGs

secured and disposed with their funds.

•GTRI has authority to accept international contributions for RTG recoveries.

– This authority enables the contributor to leverage existing U.S.-Russian relationships, contract vehicles, and project management structures.

Framework for Cooperative RTG Recoveries

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Canadian/U.S. Cooperation on RTGs Recoveries

2006:• Discussions began on the possibility of Canadian/U.S.

cooperation.

2007:• Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

(DFAIT) agreed to provide $2M Canadian (~$1.738M U.S.) for RTG removal, alternative power sources (APS), and disposition of 10 Northern Sea Route RTGs.

• GTRI agreed to provide funds and personnel for U.S. Project Team to manage, contract, and provide technical oversight and assurances.

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Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation

Progress:• In August 2007, the RTG recovery ship sailed from Arkangelsk to Tiksi,

where VNIITFA specialists inspected and certified RTGs for transport.

• In September 2007, the RTG recovery ship arrived in Murmansk where the RTGs were off-loaded and transported to VNIITFA for disassembly and preparation for transport and disposition at Mayak.

Canadian/U.S. Cooperation on RTGs Recoveries

• In spring 2008 the 10 APSs will be installed in the Tiksi area, replacing the temporary battery units.

RTGs being recovered at Tiksi

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Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation

2008:• Due to the continuing threat to international security posed by

RTGs, DFAIT agreed to provide an additional $2M Canadian for RTG removal, APS, and disposition of 10 Northern Sea Route RTGs.

• GTRI will provide funds and personnel for U.S. Project Team to manage, contract, and provide technical oversight and assurances.

Canadian/U.S. Cooperation on RTGs Recoveries

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Defense Nuclear NonproliferationWorking with GTRI

• Benefits of working through GTRI include but are not limited to:

– Contributor can leverage existing U.S.-Russian relationships, contract vehicles, and project management structures to allow for rapid implementation of RTG recoveries.

– Contributor will receive monthly customized reports providing a status of the ongoing work and any changes to the recovery schedule or funding levels.

– Labor and travel for the GTRI team to implement the required contracts and recoveries will be provided free of cost to the contributor.

– Contributor is not required to carryout site visits as this is performed by the GTRI team.

• Contributor is welcome to participate in any meetings or site visits if they so desire.

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Defense Nuclear NonproliferationFuture Efforts

• GTRI thanks Canada for their outstanding support and commitment to recover RTGs in Russia and stands ready to provide funding and personel to support any additional contributions made by any international donor to recover RTGs in Russia.