Coalition Statement on Spent Fuel Management
Twenty percent of American homes and businesses rely on nuclear energy for clean and efficient electricity 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To continue providing this constant source of clean electricity, the nuclear industry has a responsibility to safely contain the spent nuclear fuel created in the process. Subsequently, the nuclear industry has built a comprehensive system for safely and securely storing spent fuel that keeps both the public and environment safe.
Used nuclear fuel is currently safely stored on-site at the nation’s nuclear energy facilities in steel-lined, concrete pools or basins filled with water or in massive, airtight steel or concrete-and-steel canisters. Because these facilities were not designed for permanent storage, the Department of Energy formed the Blue Ribbon Commission on America’s Nuclear Future to make recommendations for managing the nation’s spent fuel. The Commission submitted final recommendations in January 2012, which called for a range of reforms to the existing fuel management system, including:
- The development of one or more consolidated interim storage facilities;
- Assured access by the nuclear waste management program to the revenues generated by consumers’ continuing fee payments and to the balance in the Nuclear Waste Fund; and
- A new, congressionally chartered federal corporation dedicated solely to implementing the waste management program and empowered with the authority and resources to succeed.
On Feb. 15, U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced the establishment of an internal working group charged with assessing these recommendations and developing a strategy to implement them based on the Commission’s work. The Blue Ribbon Commission’s recommendations are important to identifying the best way forward for permanent, long-term storage.
Clean and Safe Energy (CASEnergy) Coalition believes a safe program to manage spent nuclear fuel that includes advanced technologies is an important element for building public confidence in nuclear energy and for the licensing of new nuclear energy facilities to meet our growing electricity needs. Nuclear energy is a vital part of America’s growing energy portfolio, and the United States should continue to ensure nuclear energy remains an affordable, reliable, safe and environmentally clean supply of electricity.
