Nuclear Science: Status of DOE's Self-Supporting Isotope Program

In summary, isotopes are important tools for use in medical treatments, industrial applications, and scientific research. Although DOEs isotope program is relatively small, it is an important domestic source of isotopes. However, we found that DOE faces significant obstacles in attempting to operate the program on a self-supporting basis. Essentially, DOE cannot recoup the costs of its isotope operation through revenues from isotope sales. As a result, its original operating fund of 16 million has been depleted, and DOE is currently relying on borrowed funds to keep the program solvent. High, uncontrollable operating costs, lack of capital funding, and foreign competition--much of it subsidized--have been the primary obstacles to operating the program on a self-sufficient basis.