In pursuit of their mutual commitment to ensure cessation of productionof weapons-grade plutonium and their overallnonproliferation objectives, the sides state their intent to implementa comprehensive approach to identifying replacementsources of thermal and electric energy currently supplied by the plutoniumproduction reactor at Seversk (Tomsk-7) andZheleznogorsk (Krasnoyarsk-26). This approach would include:- feasibility studies on fossil replacement power being conducted with thefinancial and technical participation of the U.S. side;
- the first phase of feasibility studies on nuclear replacement options tobe conducted with the financial and technical participation of the U.S.side;
- the first phase of a feasibility study on core conversion of the productionreactors (conceptual design phase) to be conducted with the financial andtechnical participation of the U.S. side. In order to conduct this feasibilitystudy, the sides would ensure reciprocal access for technical specialiststo operating and shutdown production reactors and to all relevant documentation,in accordance with the laws of the Russian Federation and the United Statesof America.
Decisions to proceed further on a bilateral basis in any of the above mentionedareas would be made based on evaluation bythe sides of mutually agreed criteria on nuclear safety, environmentalprotection, economic factors, timing, and regulatory reviewand approval by the appropriate Russian regulatory authorities, includingthe Russian Federal Radiation Protection and NuclearSafety Authority (Gosatomnadzor).UNITED STATES SECRETARY OF ENERGY
Signed by Hazel R. O'Leary
MINISTER OF RUSSIAN FEDERATION FOR ATOMIC ENERGY
Signed by Viktor Mikhailov
