alternatehistory.com

March 9, 1967

Johnson cuts additional breeder reactor research

President Johnson has submitted a budget amendment to the Congress [1] that will cut the budget of the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) by $87.5 million [2] for fiscal year 1968. This reduction is made possible by a decision of the Atomic Energy Commission to phase out its effort to develop the so-called "fast breeder" power reactor, one of the three major projects for advanced nuclear power reactor development pursued by AEC. The AEC will terminate the current development work on the concept for civilian power. However, research will continue on the heavy-water-moderated, organic-cooled reactor (HWOCR) and molten-salt reactor concepts.

The AEC decision to cancel the breeder reactor development program represents continuing efforts by the agency to reexamine the priorities of ongoing programs and to eliminate lower-priority activities. This decision undoubtedly has much to do with the meltdown of the Fermi plant in October (which was an experimental fast breeder reactor). The continuation of molten salt and heavy water research and development program will enable the Atomic Energy Commission to retain the option to exploit this technology later if it proves to be especially attractive.