Congressman Sherman Secures Nonproliferation Assurances from Secretary Perry on the Additional Protocol and Part 810 Authorizations

Washington, DC – Congressman Sherman secured significant nonproliferation commitments from Energy Secretary Rick Perry today at a hearing of the House Committee on Science, Technology, and Space.

In response to a question from Congressman Sherman, Secretary Perry said that the United States would not enter into a civilian nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia unless Saudi signs the Additional Protocol.

For the past several years, the United States has been negotiating a civilian nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia which is required by Section 123 of the Atomic Energy Act for the United States to transfer civilian nuclear technology to Saudi Arabia.

Secretary Perry also committed to promptly sharing with Congress any Part 810 authorizations issued to U.S. firms interested in nuclear business with Saudi Arabia. In particular, Secretary Perry promised to share the 810s with the Science and Foreign Affairs Committees with appropriate steps to keep proprietary information confidential.

Congressman Sherman noted that Members of Congress can receive Part 810 information in a classified setting, and that Members would adhere to standard practices protecting classified information and proprietary information when receiving the Part 810 information from the Department of Energy.

Please see the relevant 5 minutes of the Science Committee hearing at:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B64moT-jCBA&feature=youtu.be

Note of Explanation:

• In order for U.S. companies to be allowed to export reactors, major reactor components, and reactor fuel to other countries, the country must sign a nuclear cooperation agreement with the United States as required by Section 123 of the Atomic Energy Act. Less significant types of nuclear technology can be sold abroad with only an Energy Department license—the Part 810.

• The Additional Protocol is a protocol to a safeguards agreement that countries sign with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). It significantly increases the IAEA's ability to verify the peaceful use of all nuclear material and technology in the concerned country.