Expensive, Unnecessary: MOX Costs Explode Again

MOX by the numbers - A new Department of Energy study finds the mixed-oxide fuel fabrication facility, already plagued by cost overruns and technical problems, could cost $47.5 billion, a significant increase from the previous estimate of $25.1 billion. If Congress keeps annual funding levels flat, construction will take longer and the total cost could increase to $110.4 billion.

--Experts argue that the MOX program is both costly and unnecessary. An alternative plan -- simply diluting the plutonium by mixing it with a classified material and burying it -- would cost $17.2 billion.

--“These eye-popping numbers just underscore how completely unsustainable the MOX program is,” said Edwin Lyman of the Union of Concerned Scientists. “We have to stop wasting more money on a white elephant.” Douglas Birch of the Center for Public Integrity has the full story. http://bit.ly/1bAY4IB

--See also: “State’s congressional reps doubt new MOX cost estimate,” by Mary Troyan for The Greenville Times. http://grnol.co/1Gfp1sT

Poison pills - The Senate debate on the Corker-Cardin Iran bill began yesterday and will continue next week. Some Republicans plan to introduce amendments likely to alienate Democrats, including provisions requiring that the president certify Iran is not supporting terrorism anywhere in the world, compelling Iran to acknowledge Israel's right to exist, and forcing a nuclear agreement to be considered a treaty.

--Several Democrats have said they’ll withdraw their support if the bill becomes too partisan. "I will oppose amendments, at least with my own vote, that I consider to be poisonous," said Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ). Reuters reports. http://bit.ly/1OkDvS1

Moniz on verification - “We will have a very comfortable ability to detect any military activity related to the [Iranian] nuclear program and we would have adequate time to respond,” U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz said in a recent interview. Reuters reports. http://reut.rs/1bAKPIa

Lessons from North Korea - “The comprehensive deal we are seeking to negotiate with Iran is fundamentally different than what we did in terms of our approach to North Korea,” State Department spokesperson Marie Harf told reporters.

--“The restrictions, inspections and verifications measures imposed on Iran by a comprehensive plan of action will go far beyond those placed on North Korea in the 1990s and the 2000s.” http://bit.ly/1boN1S8

Tweet - @WinWithoutWar: #IranTalks are good for #HumanRights. Here’s why: http://bit.ly/1bBbWCI

NPT - “Nuclear powers join non-nuclear nations on Monday to launch a conference on non-proliferation, buoyed by the Iran framework deal but alarmed by slow-moving US-Russian disarmament.” Secretary of State John Kerry will address the conference and may meet on the sidelines with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. From AFP. http://bit.ly/1OOCBYP

Kazakhstan - “Twenty years ago today, April 24, 1995, was a momentous day in Kazakhstan’s history,” writes Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister, Erian Idrissov in The Diplomat. “It was the date when the last nuclear warhead was finally removed from our land, eliminating peacefully the world’s fourth largest nuclear arsenal.”

--“It is an historic step which continues to define our country. Kazakhstan is now recognized globally as a passionate campaigner for peace and nuclear disarmament. It is also a date which continues to be celebrated by our citizens who know all too well the terrible damage that nuclear weapons cause.” Full piece here. http://bit.ly/1GpdM3Q

A good deal - “These restrictions [on Iran’s nuclear program] are stunning. They represent major compromises on Iran's part. The deal is much closer to the American starting position than to Iran's,” writes John B. Quigley for Newsday.

--“Some members of Congress say we can't trust Iran, no matter what it puts down on paper. But it will be hard for Iran to get around the restrictions to which it has agreed, even if it tries. Hopefully, Congress will refrain from trying to scuttle the deal and ramp up sanctions on Iran.” http://nwsdy.li/1bAMkWC

Mutual interests - “A dignified nuclear agreement with Iran will become a starting point for re-establishing the relations between the two nations,” writes Akbar Ganji in The National Interest.

--“If the president and Khamenei can overcome the domestic opposition in both countries, then Iran and the United States will be able to become strong allies and resolve the critical issues of the Middle East in a way that will serve the national interests of both countries.” http://bit.ly/1bAY4IB

Quick Hits:

--“Iran says nuclear talks making gradual headway,” from Reuters. http://reut.rs/1Kdg5br

--“NPT Disarmament Obligations and Nuclear Myth-Busting,” by James E. Doyle for Arms Control Now. http://bit.ly/1JC8pi2

--“Iran Ships Off Yemen Head Home,” by Dion Nissenbaum for The Wall Street Journal. http://on.wsj.com/1yVZfwD

--“House Markup Includes Bomber Oversight,” by Aaron Mehta for Defense News. http://bit.ly/1ONtTu2