We assume that 5 kilograms of plutonium are required for a nuclear bomb. Technologically sophisticated devices can be made with much less. Rounded to two significant figures. Rounded to two significant figures. The only site with an estimate that has a discoverable technical rationale Los Alamos National Laboratory Unknown Unknown Total quantity of plutonium-239 in Los Alamos waste possibly 610 or 1375 kilograms.
Discrepancy is between two official estimates.
Discrepancy is between two official sources. Conclusion So long as the politically expedient Yucca Mountain and WIPP programs command the lion's share of resources available for long-term management, no sound solution can be developed for nuclear waste. In the meantime, it is essential that an interim management strategy be implemented that addresses the issues of safe storage, the legitimate complaints of nuclear utilities regarding the federal government's obligations, and the research and development that will be essential for a long-term program. The investment in Yucca Mountain and WIPP need not be thrown away. These facilities could be used for research on repositories using non-radioactive materials, pending approval by the state of New Mexico for WIPP, and by the state of Nevada and the Western Shoshone people in the case of Yucca Mountain.