WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Nuclear Energy Institute, the National Association
of Regulatory Utility Commissioners and the Nuclear Waste Strategy
Coalition welcome the release of the U.S. Department of
Energy’s
strategy to address the Blue Ribbon Commission on America’s Nuclear
Future recommendations presented to the Secretary last January.
The DOE’s report recognizes the need to establish a sustainable,
integrated program to safely and efficiently manage used nuclear fuel
from nuclear energy facilities and high-level radioactive waste from our
nation’s defense program. On behalf of nuclear energy producers and
suppliers, state public utility commissions, and other public and
private sector organizations, the three groups advocate meaningful
reform of policy that guides America’s nuclear fuel management program
and look forward to fully analyzing DOE’s proposed strategy. NEI, NARUC,
NWSC and others stand ready to work with Congress and the
administration on legislative proposals that contribute to the
development of a sustainable used fuel management program for this
country.
The Energy Department endorsed several used nuclear fuel
management principles outlined by the Blue Ribbon Commission on
America’s Nuclear Future. Many of these concepts have long been
supported by our members and other experts. We believe that Congress and
the administration should place high priority on the following:
-
assured access by the nuclear waste management program to the revenues
generated by consumers’ continuing fee payments and to the balance in
the Nuclear Waste Fund
-
prompt efforts to develop one or more consolidated storage facilities
at volunteer sites with priority given to the used fuel from
decommissioned reactors
-
a new, congressionally chartered federal corporation dedicated solely
to implementing the waste management program and empowered with the
authority and resources to succeed.
If implemented, these elements would create a solid foundation on which
to build a sustainable used fuel management program while development of
a permanent repository is pursued.
After two years of BRC deliberations and an additional year for DOE to
develop its strategy, it is essential that the nuclear waste fee be used
solely for its intended purpose—to cover the cost of used fuel
management and disposal. The fee (one-tenth of a cent per kilowatt-hour
of electricity) paid by consumers of electricity from nuclear power
plants, which totals about $750 million each year, is effectively
unavailable for its intended purpose.
We believe actions can be taken to encourage and achieve consolidated
storage in a willing host community within the next 10 years, well
before a repository could be opened. This facility would permit the
federal government to begin meeting its contractual and statutory
obligations under the Nuclear Waste Policy Act to remove used reactor
fuel from decommissioned and operating nuclear power plants while
reducing the taxpayer liabilities associated with the government’s delay
in accepting used fuel. The DOE was required by the 1982 law to accept
used nuclear fuel beginning in 1998.
In addition to a consolidated storage program, a geologic repository
program is necessary and should be pursued simultaneously. We continue
to support the completion of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s
review of DOE’s license application for the proposed Yucca Mountain,
Nev., repository so that the science can dictate whether it is a
suitable site. We believe that a consolidated storage program that
focuses initially on decommissioned fuel must be pursued in conjunction
with any repository program including Yucca Mountain.
Creating a new management organization is a priority. It will provide
consistent leadership for a focused mission of managing used nuclear
fuel while better insulating the program from political interference or a
constant rotation of managers. In addition to safeguarding consumer
payments, fixing the funding issues will help ensure that the new
organization will have a sustainable revenue stream to fulfill its
mission.
These proposals by the administration are a positive step toward
creating a sustainable used fuel management program for both commercial
used nuclear fuel and defense radioactive waste. The administration must
work with Congress on near-term actions, such as a pilot storage
project for used fuel from decommissioned reactors, ending the misuse of
the Nuclear Waste Fund and providing sufficient resources within DOE in
the fiscal 2014 budget and thereafter to manage the waste program until
a new organization is created.
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The
National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners
is the national association representing the State Public Service
Commissioners who regulate essential utility services, including energy,
telecommunications, and water. NARUC members are responsible for
assuring reliable utility service at fair, just, and reasonable rates.
The
Nuclear Energy Institute
is the policy organization for the nuclear technologies industry. NEI’s
members include all utilities licensed to operate commercial nuclear
power plants in the United States, nuclear plant designers, major
architect/engineering firms, fuel fabrication facilities, nuclear
material licensees, and other organizations and individuals involved in
the nuclear energy industry. For more information on
integrated used nuclear fuel management visit our website.
The
Nuclear Waste Strategy Coalition
is an ad hoc organization representing the collective interests of
state utility regulators, consumer advocates, tribal governments, local
governments, electric utilities, and associate members, on nuclear waste
policy matters. NWSC’s primary focus is to protect ratepayer payments
into the Nuclear Waste Fund and to support the removal and ultimate
disposal of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste
currently stranded at numerous commercial, defense, research, and
decommissioned sites in 39 states.