This document provides environmental input for certain decisions in the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) program for managing the transuranic radio-active waste generated in the national defense program. This final environ-mental impact statement was preceded by a draft statement published by the DOE in April 1979. Large quantities of radioactive waste have resulted from the production of nuclear weapons and the operation of military reactors in national defense programs. This waste includes both high-level waste (HLW) and transuranic (TRU) waste.

Main events Licensing process proceeds according to plan Posiva aims to submit the construction license application in 2012. In 2011, research and analysis work continued to ensure the timely availability of results and related reports. The feedback provided by the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority and other authorities for the preliminary licensing documentation submitted in 2009 was systematically reviewed in 2011, and steps were taken to ensure it is taken into account during the license submission phase.

With the first 100 days of the Obama Administration behind us, the Institute for 21st Century Energy presents this nuclear waste policy document that recounts the history of the country’s nuclear waste policy, discusses the mechanics of the issue, and offers specific recommendations to the Obama Administration and the U.S. Congress.