Reagan expected to lift nuclear-recycling curb

President Reagan is expected to issue a policy statement this month that will focus strong government emphasis on expansion of nuclear power. A draft of the statement reportedly approved by the Cabinet Council on Natural Resources and leaked to the media lifts the Carter Administration nonproliferation ban on US commercial recycling of spent power reactor fuel and pledges to make the enterprise economical by having government purchase the resulting plutonium for its new breeder program. The statement also promises breeder reactor development at public expense and speedier licensing of commercial atomic reactors.