The U.S. Department of Energy is seeking to identify one or more willing host sites to provide consolidated interim storage of spent nuclear fuel from commercial power reactors. But what does a consolidated interim storage facility look like? Many of these questions will be determined along the way through close collaborations and discussions with interested communities. For now, DOE has a reference concept of how a facility may look, and the CURIE-osity Experience demonstrates a few general features that could be present at any given site.

Teaser video linked to the QR code in the mailer box. 

Video of the recently completed 1,600-mile round-trip journey from Colorado to Idaho to wrap up final testing on the Atlas railcar.

Video of the Atlas Railcar traveling over the Ft. Steele Bridge Crossing

Making progress on the long-term management of spent nuclear fuel can be fraught with political and economic challenges, but groups within the U.S. are looking to try and tackle the challenge from many different angles. As the government ramps up efforts to support spent nuclear fuel management up to the limits of the law, ANS and others are making recommendations around, and receiving funding oriented to, pathways for progress.

Can anthropologists help the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) design a more environmentally just, participatory, and consent-based siting process for spent nuclear fuel management facilities? The DOE has committed to a consent-based approach to siting spent nuclear fuel management facilities that aims to enable broad community participation and center equity and environmental justice.

Nuclear energy is essential to tackling climate change. Maintaining the nation’s current fleet and deploying advanced reactors is crucial in achieving the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)’s ambitious goals of a 50% reduction in carbon emissions by the end of the decade, 100% clean electricity by 2035, and a net-zero economy by 2050.

However, to meet those goals, progress needs to be made in the management of spent nuclear fuel. Inaction on this issue has already cost taxpayers more than $9 billion in settlements and judgments.

Dr. Kathryn Huff, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Office of Nuclear Energy, explains consent-based siting process and the recently distributed request for information.