WASHINGTON, D.C.—Holtec International announced today that it has submitted a site-specific license application to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission for its proposed consolidated interim storage facility in southeastern New Mexico. The underground facility is robustly designed to hold 10,000 canisters on 288 acres and has strong support of state and local government as well as the surrounding communities. The facility would store used nuclear fuel in Holtec’s HI-STORM UMAX technology—welded canisters set in a retrievable underground facility.
The project is supported by the Eddy-Lea Energy Alliance, an alliance of the cities of Carlsbad and Hobbs and the counties of Eddy and Lea in New Mexico.
“Technically feasible options for managing used fuel have existed for decades, and as the world leader in nuclear technology, America should not wait any longer before pursuing them,” said Maria Korsnick, president and chief executive officer at the Nuclear Energy Institute. “Holtec submitted a high-quality design and license application. Conceptually, this site is similar to storage facilities currently operating at nuclear plants around the country. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission should review the application without delay.”
“Interim storage strategy allows us to begin moving used fuel from our sites in mere years, rather than decades. 2018 marks the 20th anniversary since the federal government failed to take title to America’s inventory of used nuclear fuel, an abdication that has cost American taxpayers billions of dollars in judgments and settlements. The American people have been stood up for too long. It’s long past time for this stalemate—which is political, not technical—to end, and Holtec’s license application submission brings us closer to an important policy resolution.
“The nuclear industry has long advocated for an integrated strategy for used nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste management. The elements of this strategy include an interim consolidated storage facility for used nuclear fuel in a willing host community and state, and completion of the Yucca Mountain licensing process.”
Last month the Trump administration unveiled a preliminary budget proposal that included $120 million for resumption of the Yucca Mountain licensing and advancing an interim storage solution. A consortium led by Waste Control Specialists, including AREVA and NAC International, submitted a license for another interim storage facility in west Texas in April 2016.