News

Senate discussion draft addresses reforms of US nuclear waste management

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.

Chris Galford

Recent Posts

Long-awaited FERC transmission planning rule tackles interregional planning

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved in a 2-1 vote the first transmission policy update in more than a…

14 hours ago

Consumers Energy to install nearly 3,000 line sensors, other smart technology this year

In a bid to improve electric reliability in Michigan, Consumers Energy recently announced plans to invest nearly $24 million to…

21 hours ago

PJM Interconnection, MISO to collaborate on interregional study

PJM Interconnection and the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) will collaborate on an informational interregional transfer capability study. The study,…

21 hours ago

Defense Department partners with Dominion Energy to meet federal carbon-free electricity goals

The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) is working with Dominion Energy Virginia (Dominion Energy) to jointly achieve the carbon pollution-free…

21 hours ago

Duke Energy CEO lays out accomplishments at shareholder meeting

Duke Energy CEO Lynn Good laid out the company’s major achievements and milestones last year at the annual shareholders meeting…

2 days ago

Hawaiian Electric finishes work on backup transmission line for West Maui customers

Following the devastating 2023 fires, Hawaiian Electric recently completed work on a critical transmission line to offer backup power to…

2 days ago

This website uses cookies.