Source: Wired
Summary
The US government is seeking the help of startups to find a use for its stockpile of dozens of tons of weapons-grade plutonium. The Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) has launched a competition to encourage companies to come up with innovative ideas for utilizing the plutonium. The NNSA is offering funding and resources to support the development of these ideas. According to the NNSA, the goal is to find a way to use the plutonium that is both safe and beneficial.
Our Reading
The launch follows a familiar script.
The US government is trying to offload its unwanted plutonium on startups, hoping they’ll come up with something useful. Because what could possibly go wrong with giving entrepreneurs access to highly radioactive materials? The NNSA is essentially saying, “Hey, we’ve got a bunch of plutonium just lying around, see if you can make something cool with it.” This is not the first time the government has tried to pawn off its nuclear waste on someone else.
Government’s Nuclear Waste Problem
The US government has been struggling to dispose of its nuclear waste for decades. The stockpile of plutonium is a legacy of the Cold War era, and the government has been trying to find a way to get rid of it ever since.
Startups to the Rescue
The NNSA’s competition is an attempt to tap into the innovative spirit of startups. The agency is hoping that by offering funding and resources, it can encourage companies to come up with creative solutions to the plutonium problem.
Safety Concerns
However, there are concerns about the safety of handling and storing plutonium. The material is highly radioactive and requires specialized facilities to handle it safely.
Previous Attempts
This is not the first time the government has tried to find a use for its plutonium. In the past, it has attempted to convert the material into fuel for nuclear reactors, but those efforts have been met with limited success.
Conclusion
The NNSA’s competition is a long shot, but it’s a desperate attempt to find a solution to the government’s nuclear waste problem. As one expert said, “It’s like they’re saying, ‘Hey, we’ve got a bunch of plutonium, can you please take it off our hands?'”.
