Hiroshima, Seventy-Seven Years On

Meanwhile, we're spending $60 billion yearly to "refurbish" nuclear weapons.

Aug 06, 2022

Today (August 06, 2022) is the 77th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima.

Meanwhile, here in the United States, the Department of Energy is engaged in a long term “refurbishment” of nuclear weapons:

“Through Life Extension Program activities, (we produce) refurbished, replaced and/or upgraded weapons components for modernizing the enduring (nuclear) stockpile.

“A Life Extension Program is necessary when weapons begin to age beyond their useful life. The components are returned from the stockpile and disassembled to mine parts that can be reused and materials that can be recycled. New or reused parts, with upgrades as applicable, are reassembled and certified and returned, extending (nuclear weapon) stockpile lifetimes 20 to 30 years.” (Emphasis added.) (1)

What, pray tell, might be the cost of this folly and perversity?

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates it to be $634 billion for fiscal years 2021 through 2030. That’s about $60 billion per year. (2)

$60 billion.

The annual budget for the United States Institute of Peace? About $45 million. (That’s with an “m”.) (3)

The contribution of the U.S. to the World Food Program? About $3.7 billion. (4)

U.S. expenditures for humanitarian assistance worldwide? About $13 billion. (5)

Cost of WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) nutrition program? About $5 billion. (6)

Yeah. $60 billion a year for the “life extension” of nuclear weapons.

And today is the anniversary of Hiroshima.

Sources:

(1)

https://www.y12.doe.gov/

mission/nuclear-deterrence/stockpile/refurbishment

(2) https://www.cbo.gov/publication/57240