The Trump administration plans to repurpose approximately 20 metric tons of Cold War–era weapons-grade plutonium—formerly earmarked for disposal—for use as reactor fuel in U.S. power plants. The goal: revitalize domestic energy production while reinforcing American industrial and energy independence.
The move, initiated through a May executive order, halts the previous dilution-and-disposal protocol and instead directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to solicit proposals for plutonium-to-fuel conversion at little to no cost, provided private firms handle transportation, processing, and infrastructure requirements.
Supporters emphasize that tapping this surplus plutonium is a strategic leap toward energy sovereignty and manufacturing revival, particularly as U.S. electricity demand surges—driven by AI growth and expanding tech infrastructure. The policy aligns with broader Trump-era nuclear initiatives aimed at bolstering both conventional and advanced reactor capacity.
However, critics, including nuclear safety experts, warn of repeating past failures—highlighting the abandoned MOX (mixed-oxide) fuel project, which was terminated in 2018 after cost overruns exceeding $50 billion. Plutonium’s long half-life (24,000 years) and handling risks also fuel safety and environmental concerns.
Still, proponents argue this policy marks a pivotal turn toward transforming Cold War relics into clean energy assets—an initiative that champions fiscal responsibility, energy resilience, and American innovation.
