NARUC, other energy organizations urge Congress to fund Nuclear Waste Program

The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) was among six energy organizations that sent a letter Tuesday to Congressional leaders urging them to adequately fund the Department of Energy’s Nuclear Waste Program for fiscal year 2018.

The letter, which was sent to both U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate leadership, requests funding for the program to support the completion of the Yucca Mountain licensing review and pilot consolidated interim storage and preparation for spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste transportation.

“Nuclear waste is currently stored at reactor sites and DOE facilities in 37 states and more than 100 communities across the country, causing increased fees for ratepayers and presenting potential safety issues,” NARUC President John Betkoski III said. “Electric consumer payments into the Nuclear Waste Fund exceed $40 billion; therefore, implementing the Nuclear Waste Program is a national priority—one that should be reflected in the FY 2018 budget.”

In addition to NARUC, the American Nuclear Society, Yankee Atomic Electric Company, the Nuclear Energy Institute, the U.S. Nuclear Infrastructure Council and the Vermont Public Utility Commission signed the letter.