Title: Safeguarding and internationalising nuclear power

Authors: Lars J. Nilsson, Dean Abrahamson

Addresses: Department of Environmental and Energy Systems Studies, University of Lund, Institute of Technology, Lund, Sweden. ' Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, United States of America

Abstract: The climatological effects of burning fossil fuels make it necessary to develop and increase the use of non-CO₂-emitting energy sources. One possibility that has been suggested is to expand the use of nuclear power. In addition to safer reactors and satisfactory waste disposal, public acceptance depends on whether or not the nuclear industry can offer a truly peaceful atom. Nuclear power must be effectively safeguarded from the diversion of nuclear materials for potential non-peaceful uses. The necessity of safeguarding nuclear power was recognised early. The initial proposal that was made in the Baruch Plan in 1946 included international control or ownership of potentially dangerous nuclear activities and technology. Events leading to the rejection of this plan and the development of the present safeguards system are reviewed here. Recent proposals for extended international control and the prospects for internationalisation are discussed. Although internationalising significant parts of the nuclear enterprise would facilitate a considerably more diversion-resistant safeguards regime, the idea is little discussed by governments and nuclear power institutions. Large political efforts and institutional changes are required if nuclear power is to offer the peaceful atom it once promised.

Keywords: global energy issues; internationalisation; nuclear power; nuclear energy; nuclear safeguards; nuclear safety.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGEI.1991.063682

International Journal of Global Energy Issues, 1991 Vol.3 No.3, pp.150-158

Published online: 18 Jul 2014 *

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