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

Short-term goals include:

• 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. In 2008, DOE submitted, and the NRC accepted for review, a license application for a used fuel repository at Yucca Mountain, Nev.
• 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.

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