DOE, SENATORS CONTINUE MOX TALKS

In another step in talks on a potential path forward for the Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication Facility, Department of Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz met last week with contractor officials and Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Mary Landrieu (D-La.). As DOE said it would take a look at plutonium disposition alternatives due to rising costs for MOX, Graham has been involved in talks with DOE in recent months on a possible new contract structure for construction contractor Shaw AREVA MOX Services. Graham spokesman Kevin Bishop confirmed that the meeting took place, but did not provide details. DOE did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the meeting yesterday.  

 

Also present at the meeting was DOE Senior Advisor John MacWilliams, who led the DOE review of alternatives to the MOX plant. That study could include a total life cycle cost for the MOX option of up to $30 billion, which would include operation of the plant and other costs in addition to construction, according to media reports. “We have to find productive ways to drive that cost down from $30 billion,” Graham told the Aiken Standard Friday. “The contractor’s performance has been excellent, so we need to find a way to share costs and drive that number down.” The National Nuclear Security Administration declined to comment on the lifecycle cost figure.