The Department of Energy's program would make our reactors more dangerous. Utility reactors designed for uranium fuel would need extensive modification in order to use plutonium, but the fundamental physical problems introduced by the new fuel would not be eliminated. The problem is reactor component embrittlement caused by the plutonium's higher neutron flux. This will shorten the expected lifespan of utility reactors and increase the risk and the severity of accidents. Furthermore, the use of plutonium oxide fuel in commercial power reactors will not significantly reduce the amount of plutonium.
Nuclear reactors produce plutonium where none existed before.
A typical commercial reactor produces 500 pounds of plutonium a year. The plutonium oxide fuel would be valuable target. The secrecy and defense measures which the military uses to safely transport plutonium would have to be duplicated by every domestic utility company using plutonium fuel. Our civil liberties may suffer as a consequence. Also, the transport of the plutonium fuel to reactor sites would add to the risk of accidental release of radiation.