Taxpayers are assessed $800 million annually ($2.2 million per day) because of the federal government’s failure to meet its obligation to dispose of used fuel that currently resides at nuclear plants across the country. The United States must establish a sustainable national program—supported by dedicated funding—to permanently dispose of this fuel.

The time of kicking the can down the road … those days are over. — U.S. Secretary of Energy Rick Perry

How Did We Get Here?

The Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 (NWPA) codified the U.S. Department of Energy’s responsibility for developing a geologic repository for used nuclear fuel. In 2002, the president and Congress approved Yucca Mountain in Nevada as the site for this repository. In 2010, however, the DOE shut down the Yucca Mountain project without citing any technical or safety issues. In contrast, decades of scientific study had consistently concluded that the proposed repository could safely protect future generations. At the time, $12 billion had already been spent on Yucca Mountain and 65,000 metric tons of spent fuel were in temporary storage across 39 states. In 2014, a federal court ordered the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission to complete safety and environmental reviews of the site. While these reviews have since concluded that Yucca Mountain complies with all regulations, a final decision awaits an extensive formal hearing. That hearing can’t happen until Congress funds it.

Meanwhile, the inventory of used fuel has now grown to more than 80,000 metric tons while the taxpayer liability for government inaction continues to increase.

Steps We Can Take

The nuclear energy industry supports the following critical steps that will put the U.S. on the path toward a viable used fuel management solution.

Reach a Decision on Yucca Mountain: The NRC has yet to decide whether it will grant the DOE’s license application for the Yucca Mountain project. We support Yucca Mountain as the nation’s repository site. But to move forward with either Yucca Mountain or another site, Congress must grant the NRC’s and DOE’s requests for funding to complete their duties. Authorize Consolidated Interim Storage: Nuclear plants now safely store used fuel in robust pools and then eventually in airtight containers called dry casks. A system of consolidated interim storage (CIS) would enable the DOE to move dry casks from nuclear plants to a consolidated storage facility where it can be more efficiently managed until a permanent repository is built. We support the development of a CIS pilot program in willing host communities and states. Provide Access to the Nuclear Waste Fund: Electricity consumers have contributed $40 billion into the Nuclear Waste Fund. Accounting for expenses to date, federal contributions for defense nuclear waste, and interest earned, $37 billion remains in the fund. Each year, another $1.7 billion in interest is added to this principle balance. Any legislation that becomes law must ensure access to the nuclear waste fund. Historically, congressional budgeting practices have prevented the use of this fund for its intended purpose. Meanwhile, taxpayers have been saddled with more than $6 billion in damages for the federal government’s inaction – an amount that grows by $800 million for every additional year the government does not act. The cost of not funding a solution is rapidly becoming greater than the cost of funding it.

These steps are the most important elements of a sustainable used fuel program.