Key Issues

Used nuclear fuel is stored at the nation's nuclear power plants in steel-lined, concrete pools or basins filled with water or in massive, airtight steel or concrete-and-steel canisters.

Used nuclear fuel is in storage at the nation’s 104 nuclear power plants. Most plants store used fuel in steel-lined, concrete vaults filled with water, which acts as a natural barrier for radiation from the used fuel. The water also keeps the fuel cool while the radiation decays—or becomes less radioactive. The water itself does not leave the used fuel pool.

• Fact sheet on managing used nuclear fuel

Watch NEI's easy-to-understand video tutorial below on spent fuel storage in pools at nuclear energy plants. (Note: Select "Full screen" at the bottom right of the video to see an enlarged version of the video.)

To see this video and other video tutorials on nuclear energy topics, visit NEI's YouTube channel.

Storage Space Grows Tight at Plant Sites

The original design and construction of nuclear plants provided for used fuel storage for a decade or two, not for long-term storage. Federal law required the U.S. Department of Energy to begin moving used fuel from plant sites in 1998, but it has not yet begun to do so.

As a result, some nuclear plants have run out of capacity in their water-filled vaults. At these plants, used fuel is stored above ground in massive, airtight canisters made of steel, steel-reinforced concrete or steel-enclosed concrete. Diligent monitoring and maintenance of safety systems ensures the safety of these containers.

• Fact sheet on used nuclear fuel storage

Watch NEI's easy-to-understand video tutorial below on dry cask storage for spent fuel at nuclear energy plants. (Note: Select "Full screen" at the bottom right of the video to see an enlarged version of the video.)

To see this video and other video tutorials on nuclear energy topics, visit NEI's YouTube channel.