Key Issues

Used Nuclear Fuel Is Solid and Compact

Near- and Long-Term Plans for Managing Used Fuel

1. interim storage of used fuel at centralized, volunteer locations
2. research, development and demonstration of advanced technology to recycle nuclear fuel
3. development of a permanent disposal facility.

Used fuel storage at nuclear plant sites is safe and secure. However, interim storage sites at centralized volunteer locations will enable the movement of used fuel from both decommissioned and operating plants before recycling facilities or a repository begin
operating. 

A research and development program, including a commercial demonstration plant, should be implemented to recycle used nuclear fuel. The objectives of reprocessing and recycling uranium fuel are to reclaim a significant amount of energy that remains in the fuel and to reduce the volume, heat and toxicity of byproducts placed in the repository.


Goals of an Integrated Strategy

An integrated used fuel management program includes key elements phased in during the short, medium and long terms.

• Continuing NRC endorsement of waste confidence and the signing of standard contracts between DOE and energy companies for managing used fuel at new nuclear plants. These goals were accomplished in 2008.
• Adequately funding the repository licensing process, including the NRC’s review of DOE’s Yucca Mountain repository construction application. The Obama administration has announced its intent to terminate this project and withdraw DOE’s license application. The industry believes the licensing process should continue. Ultimately, a geologic repository will be needed somewhere. Even if a facility is not built at Yucca Mountain, completion of the licensing process will yield vital lessons that will facilitate completion of a facility when a new site is selected. However, if the administration halts the Yucca Mountain licensing process, the industry believes it should be done in a manner that would facilitate resuming the process at a later date should that be warranted.
• Developing a research and development program for advanced fuel recycling technologies, including government partnerships with industry. 
• Identifying and developing volunteer sites for interim storage and advanced fuel-cycle facilities.

  
  Medium-term goals include:

• Moving used fuel to interim storage sites, ideally at advanced fuel-cycle development sites.
• Continuing research, development and demonstration of advanced fuel recycling and fuel fabrication technologies to make them more cost effective and efficient and to maximize uranium recycling.
• Repository licensing.

  
  Long-term goals include:

• Commercial advanced fuel recycling.
• Operating the repository.