The Cost of Implementing IAEA Safeguards in the United States

Based on recent U.S. experience, the facility costs for placing excess fissile material under traditional IAEA safeguards can be significant. The cost through the initial IAEA inspection at the DOE Oak Ridge, Hanford, and Rocky Flats facilities was about $10 million. Recent U.S. experience suggests that significant facility cost savings can be achieved in a number of different areas. This paper will describe the costs of implementation in the U.S., and will suggest ways to reduce costs of future offers of U.S. excess material for IAEA inspection.