Tritium is a radioactive material used in nuclear weapons that, because of its relatively rapid rate of decay, has to be periodically replenished to maintain the effectiveness of the weapons. DOE is responsible for producing tritium and historically has done so using nuclear reactors. However, the reactors used in the past have experienced aging and safety problems and have been shut down since 1988 for repairs. Because of future uncertainties in the use of these reactors, ERAB, at the request of DOE, in 1988 assessed various reactor technologies for tritium production. As a result, DOE began to pursue a program to design and construct two new tritium production reactors. However, in February 1991 the Secretary of Energy stated that only one reactor would initially be constructed because of budget constraints. DOE plans to announce the selection of the reactor technology and the location in December 1991. jg