SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

This subsequent arrangement concerns the retransfer of 507,713 g of U.S.-obligated ( printed page 17546) low enriched uranium, 61,535 g of which is in the isotope of U-235 (12.12 percent enrichment), and 4,427 g of plutonium, in the form of 236 irradiated fuel assemblies from the Open Pool Australian Lightwater (OPAL) research reactor at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation in Australia, to Orano (formerly AREVA NC) at the La Hague reprocessing plant in France. The material in the irradiated fuel assemblies, which is currently located at the OPAL reactor, is to be retransferred to the La Hague plant for reprocessing. Orano will take title to the plutonium recovered during reprocessing, which will be incorporated into fresh civilian mixed oxide fuel assemblies. Residual plutonium that is not removed during reprocessing will be vitrified in canisters, which will be returned to Australia at a later time.

In accordance with section 131 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, I have determined that this subsequent arrangement concerning the retransfer of U.S.-obligated special nuclear material for reprocessing will not be inimical to the common defense and security of the United States of America and made the judgment that it will not result in a significant increase in the risk of proliferation beyond that which exists now, or which existed at the time approval was requested.