Spent Nuclear Fuel Management: How centralized interim storage can expand options and reduce costs

The purpose of this study is to assist decision makers in evaluating the centralized interim
storage option. We explore the economics of centralized interim storage under a wide variety of
circumstances. We look at how a commitment to move forward with centralized interim storage
today could evolve over time. And, we evaluate the costs of reversing a commitment toward
centralized storage if it turns out that such a decision is later considered a mistake. We have not
conducted independent analysis of cost elements, drawing instead on the work of others, but we
compare and contrast these other cost studies to gain an appreciation of the uncertainties. While
we conduct many analyses, our purpose is not to provide a single value or estimate of the
incremental costs/savings of centralized storage. Instead, we present analyses to inform decision
makers of the nature of costs under a wide range of circumstances. We find that the risks and
benefits of today’s decision are asymmetric: a centralized interim storage facility could prove
invaluable, but under other circumstances the downside is relatively modest—if the facility is not
needed total expenditures can be limited.