New Ideas for a Changing World

“Atoms for Peace” Fuels Energy Production and Cools Global Tension

The world was changing rapidly in the decades after World War II. The U.S. and the Soviet Union’s rivalry kicked off the Cold War, resulting in an increase of nuclear weapons and widespread fears of nuclear war.

To ease tensions and fears, programs like President Dwight Eisenhower’s “Atoms for Peace” encouraged safe and productive uses of atomic science, such as nuclear energy. Aiming to combat the spread of communism while developing a nuclear future, the U.S. invested massive resources at home and around the globe, including in U.S. territory of Puerto Rico.

Operation Bootstrap

Energy Technology Was Seen as the Future for Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico was also changing quickly in the years after World War II. The island was originally a farming economy producing a variety of agricultural goods. However, in the 1940s and 50s Puerto Rico’s first elected governor, Luis Muñoz Marin, wanted to promote industry through a program called “Operation Bootstrap.”

A large campaign was launched to shift Puerto Rico’s economy toward industry. With the help of the government, the island was advertised as attractive to Americans and international investors. The idea that Puerto Rico possessed new, high-end technology was an important part of Operation Bootstrap.

As part of the program, Governor Muñoz wanted to attract American energy investment to Puerto Rico. In the late 1950s, he successfully petitioned members of the United States government, especially the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), to establish a nuclear reactor on the island. Thus, the idea for the BONUS plant was born.

New Ideas for a Changing World

“Atoms for Peace” Fuels Energy Production and Cools Global Tension

The world was changing rapidly in the decades after World War II. The U.S. and the Soviet Union’s rivalry kicked off the Cold War, resulting in an increase of nuclear weapons and widespread fears of nuclear war.

To ease tensions and fears, programs like President Dwight Eisenhower’s “Atoms for Peace” encouraged safe and productive uses of atomic science, such as nuclear energy. Aiming to combat the spread of communism while developing a nuclear future, the U.S. invested massive resources at home and around the globe, including in U.S. territory of
Puerto Rico.

Operation Bootstrap

Energy Technology Was Seen as the Future for Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico was also changing quickly in the years after World War II. The island was originally a farming economy producing a variety of agricultural goods. However, in the 1940s and 50s Puerto Rico’s first elected governor, Luis Muñoz Marin, wanted to promote industry through a program called “Operation Bootstrap.”

A large campaign was launched to shift Puerto Rico’s economy toward industry. With the help of the government, the island was advertised as attractive to Americans and international investors. The idea that Puerto Rico possessed new, high-end technology was an important part of Operation Bootstrap.

As part of the program, Governor Muñoz wanted to attract American energy investment to Puerto Rico. In the late 1950s, he successfully petitioned members of the United States government, especially the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), to establish a nuclear reactor on the island. Thus,
the idea for the BONUS plant
was born.

The Birth of BONUS

An International Partnership for Nuclear Power

The BONUS project, started in 1960, depended on cooperation and collaboration between the AEC (Atomic Energy Commission) and PRWRA (Puerto Rico Water Resources Authority). However, there were also hundreds of individual people that contributed their time, energy, and expertise to the project’s success.

The AEC was responsible for the design and construction of the reactor and its related facilities. The PRWRA was responsible for developing the site, overall plant design, construction of the generator, and power transmission facilities.

The Birth of BONUS

An International Partnership for Nuclear Power

The BONUS project, started in 1960, depended on cooperation and collaboration between the AEC (Atomic Energy Commission) and PRWRA (Puerto Rico Water Resources Authority). However, there were also hundreds of individual people that contributed their time, energy, and expertise to the project’s success.

The AEC was responsible for the design and construction of the reactor and its related facilities. The PRWRA was responsible for developing the site, overall plant design, construction of the generator, and power transmission facilities.

Making Progress in Latin America

Creating Job Opportunities for Local Scientists

The BONUS project also related to President John F. Kennedy’s “Alliance for Progress.” This was a U.S. assistance program for Latin America and aimed to relieve the region’s poverty and social challenges. One way this was achieved was to train students and scientists from across Latin America in new technologies such as nuclear power.

Throughout its operation, the BONUS facility became a training ground for hundreds of Latin American scientists. Those who trained at BONUS got to experience the era’s newest nuclear technology. By 1968 when BONUS was shut down, nearly 700 scientists from 41 countries had trained at the facility.

Making Progress in Latin America

Creating Job Opportunities for Local Scientists

The BONUS project also related to President John F. Kennedy’s “Alliance for Progress.” This was a U.S. assistance program for Latin America and aimed to relieve the region’s poverty and social challenges. One way this was achieved was to train students and scientists from across Latin America in new technologies such as nuclear power.

Throughout its operation, the BONUS facility became a training ground for hundreds of Latin American scientists. Those who trained at BONUS got to experience the era’s newest nuclear technology. By 1968 when BONUS was shut down, nearly 700 scientists from 41 countries had trained at the facility.

Dr. Modesto Iriarte Beauchamp

A Local Scientist’s Contribution
to BONUS

One scientist who helped BONUS succeed was Dr. Modesto Iriarte Beauchamp, a Puerto Rican nuclear scientist and engineer. Dr. Iriarte was born in nearby Mayagüez and was a pioneer in the nuclear field. He was one of the first students in the United States to obtain a Ph.D. in nuclear engineering, and the first from Puerto Rico.

PRWRA chose Dr. Iriarte to be part of the design group for the BONUS facility. He took part in the setup of the power station and was one of the first senior operators licensed by AEC to work at the BONUS station.

In 1995, the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA, the successor to PRWRA) named the site’s Dr. Modesto Iriarte Technological Museum to honor Dr. Iriarte’s contributions. Dr. Iriarte’s role and contributions to the BONUS site, like the many other Latin American scientists and engineers that worked and trained at the facility, remain a shining example of cooperation and collaboration between the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

Dr. Modesto Iriarte Beauchamp

A Local Scientist’s Contribution
to BONUS

One scientist who helped BONUS succeed was Dr. Modesto Iriarte Beauchamp, a Puerto Rican nuclear scientist and engineer. Dr. Iriarte was born in nearby Mayagüez and was a pioneer in the nuclear field. He was one of the first students in the United States to obtain a Ph.D. in nuclear engineering, and the first from Puerto Rico.

PRWRA chose Dr. Iriarte to be part of the design group for the BONUS facility. He took part in the setup of the power station and was one of the first senior operators licensed by AEC to work at the BONUS station.

In 1995, the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA, the successor to PRWRA) named the site’s Dr. Modesto Iriarte Technological Museum to honor Dr. Iriarte’s contributions. Dr. Iriarte’s role and contributions to the BONUS site, like the many other Latin American scientists and engineers that worked and trained at the facility, remain a shining example of cooperation and collaboration between the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

These interviews reflect the opinion of the parties, not necessarily the position or opinion of the DOE or PREPA.

first-hand history

These interviews reflect the opinion of the parties, not necessarily the position or opinion of the DOE or PREPA.