Marshall Islands Nuclear Remediation Program

The Marshall Islands Nuclear Remediation Program (MINRP) is a long-term environmental restoration and human recovery initiative dedicated to addressing the lasting impacts of Cold War-era nuclear testing across the Marshall Islands. Established as a comprehensive framework for remediation, scientific research, ecological rehabilitation, and community resilience, the MINRP seeks to restore contaminated environments, improve public health outcomes, and secure a sustainable future for Marshallese communities affected by nuclear legacy contamination.

The United States of America, between 1946 and 1958, conducted 67 nuclear tests in a 7 part nuclear test series. These tests, excluding the first 2 tests part of Operation Crossroads (Baker and Able), were carried out under the trusteeship agreement for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (TTPI). This agreement detailed the obligation the U.S. had to the Marshallese people.

The costs for operations were derived from Schwartz, S I. "Atomic audit: The costs and consequences of U.S. nuclear weapons since 1940." , Jun. 1998. These numbers amount for the total costs of each operation (not including Operation Sandstone, 1948). The 2026 total, $8,986,886,751.43, is the final Cost of Creation number for all operations (not including Operation Sandstone, 1948).

Operations Cost (1996 USD)

  • Operation Crossroads, 2 shots (Bikini, 1946): 1.3143 billion

  • Operation Greenhouse, 4 shots (Enewetak, 1951): 543.7 million

  • Operation Ivy, 2 shots (Enewetak, 1952): 240.9 million

  • Operation Castle, 6 shots (Bikini / Enewetak, 1954): 398.7 million

  • Operation Redwing, 17 shots (Bikini / Enewetak, 1956): 857.5 million

  • Operation Hardtack I, 35 shots (Bikini / Enewetak / Johnston Island, 1958): 915.0 million

  • Total Cost, 1996 USD: 4.2703 Billion (Not including Operation Sandstone, 1948)

Operations Cost (2026 USD)

  • Operation Crossroads, 2 shots (Bikini, 1946): $2,766,086,334.61

  • Operation Greenhouse, 4 shots (Enewetak, 1951): $1,144,275,386.23

  • Operation Ivy, 2 shots (Enewetak, 1952): $507,000,074.57

  • Operation Castle, 6 shots (Bikini / Enewetak, 1954): $839,107,221.80

  • Operation Redwing, 17 shots (Bikini / Enewetak, 1956): $1,804,701,386.23

  • Operation Hardtack I, 35 shots (Bikini / Enewetak / Johnston Island, 1958): $1,925,716,347.99

  • Total Cost, 2026 USD: $8,986,886,751.43 (Not including Operation Sandstone, 1948)