USA allocates $0.5 bln to shut down two Russian nuclear reactors

The US Energy Dept. has allocated $466 million to fulfill the agreement with the Russian Atomic Energy Ministry on shutting down two Russian nuclear reactors, in Seversk (the Tomsk region, West Siberia) and Zheleznogorsk (the Krasnoyarsk territory, East Siberia).

The reactors produce weapons-grade plutonium, RIA Novosti learned on Wednesday from the Russian ministry's press service. Moreover, at present they supply electricity and heating to Seversk and Zheleznogorsk.

"The funds will be used to reconstruct the old heat power plant in Seversk and to build a new one in Zheleznogorsk," the ministry pointed out. They will provide the two cities with heating and electricity instead of the plutonium reactors.

The construction of the plants is expected to finish by 2006-2007.