USA allocates $100 mln to restore Chornobyl NPP nuclear safety systems
The U.S. Department of State has announced its intention to provide up to $100 million in existing foreign assistance funds to support coordinated efforts by G7 countries to ensure the continued containment of fissile nuclear material at the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine.
"For three decades, the United States and G7 partners have led efforts to secure nuclear material at the Chornobyl plant, with the United States providing more than $365 million in total funding towards the New Safe Confinement (NSC) arch that secures the main reactor areas," the State Department said in a press release.
The NSC, built with a design service life of 100 years, was damaged last year as a result of a Russian drone strike.
"Without repairs, the NSC can no longer provide adequate protection, creating the specter of a dangerous leak of highly radioactive material in Europe," the foreign policy agency added.
"Consistent with the United States’ continued leadership on issues of nuclear safety and non-proliferation, working with Congress, the United States is proactively committing 20%, or $100 million, of the G7’s estimated $500 million cost to rehabilitate the NSC arch and ensure continued safety and security of the Chornobyl reactors and nuclear material," the State Department said.
The U.S. diplomatic agency called on its G7 and European partners to follow the example of the United States and make "substantial financial commitments to share the burden of these essential repairs."
