The project objective, the shutdown of the last Russian weapons-grade plutonium production reactor, will be accomplished through the construction of a coal powered plant which will provide replacement heat to the city of Zheleznogorsk.

Design of the coal powered plant is nearly complete and construction is approximately 40% complete as of December 2008. The operating contractor has been named and the startup/commissioning contractor will be selected in early 2009.

The joint U.S./Russian nonproliferation project enjoys significant international cooperation and interest.  Six additional countries have contributed more than $31 million to the on-going project design and construction.

Shutdown of the Zheleznogorsk reactor will be a major nonproliferation achievement towards the elimination of materials that could be utilized in a weapon of mass destruction.