A discussion draft released by U.S. Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY) last week provides practical reforms of the nation’s nuclear waste management policy to better dispose of spent nuclear fuel.
Presently, used up nuclear fuel is scattered across 39 states, as the nation lacks a permanent repository in which to house it. Barrasso, chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW), has labeled this a failure of the federal government’s legal obligations to dispose of spent nuclear fuel.
“Spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste is currently stored in 39 states across the country,” Barrasso said. “It’s time for Washington to fulfill its long-overdue promise to permanently and safely dispose of spent nuclear fuel. “Nuclear energy is critical if we are going to reduce carbon emissions in a meaningful way. “My draft legislation takes commonsense steps to advance the licensing of the Yucca Mountain facility. The legislation also strengthens the nation’s nuclear waste management program.”
The draft focuses on a number of proposals. First, it seeks to resolve the long-embattled license of the Yucca Mountain facility and allow a formal licensing process to determine if the facility can even be licensed and built. It also seeks to revamp the financing mechanism of this whole process and guarantee the Department of Energy (DOE) advances a temporary storage program while work on Yucca Mountain continues — even if that has them turn to private interests. In addition to speeding up existing processes, it also aims to strengthen the DOE’s program management and organization to make the whole process more efficient.
“After years of Washington looking the other way, it’s time to protect American ratepayers and taxpayers,” Barrasso said. “Next week, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee will hold a hearing on the draft legislation. I look forward to continuing this important conversation at the hearing.”
Similar legislation was introduced in 2017 and advanced the House of Representatives last year.
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