Biden Administration supports DOE's High-Level Waste Interpretation
ECA Staff | 12/17/2021
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The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) signed a Federal Register Notice (FRN) this week signaling that the Biden Administration affirms its interpretation of the statutory term “high-level radioactive waste” (HLW). The HLW Interpretation (HLWI) provides that not all wastes resulting from the reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel are HLW and therefore, some of that waste can be safely disposed of based on its radiological
characteristics.
DOE confirms that the HLWI is consistent with the law, the best available science and data, and the recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Commission on America’s Nuclear Future. DOE further notes that the views of the public and the scientific community were considered in the decision-making, specifically citing the Energy Community Alliance’s (ECA) report “Waste Disposition: A New Approach to DOE’s Waste Management Must Be Pursued.”
ECA has long advocated for a full evaluation of the HLWI as a safe, risk-based alternative in line with international and scientific practices and guidelines for the management and disposal of managing waste.
Moving ahead to based disposal decisions on actual radiological characteristics rather than origin has the potential to:
- Reduce time that radioactive waste is stored on-site at DOE facilities, increasing safety for workers, our communities and the environment;
- Shorten mission completion schedules and reduce taxpayer financial liability;
- Allow for the removal of some radioactive waste to disposal facilities licensed, constructed and regulated for this purpose; and
- By reducing costs and expediting cleanup activities, allow DOE to more quickly focus on other high-priority cleanup projects, ultimately reducing risks across the complex.
DOE’s announcement comes on the heels of a new GAO study recommending that Congress consider clarifying DOE’s authority to manage and dispose of waste as other than HLW, noting an alternative treatment plan to apply the HLWI at Hanford could save billions of dollars. ECA supports the findings of this study.
While affirmation of the HLWI is a critical step in the right direction, it remains to be seen how and when the definition will be applied. As DOE has noted throughout its evaluation of the HLWI, “DOE will continue to evaluate its waste inventories and related management and disposal options, and expects to engage openly with stakeholders regarding potential future opportunities to implement the HLWI more broadly. Any decisions…about whether and how
the interpretation will apply to other wastes at any specific site…will be the subject of subsequent actions.”
An informational webinar on the new Draft EA will be held on January 11, 2022, at 2 pm ET. Access to the webinar can be found here: Informational Webinar Access.
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OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENGAGEMENT
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JANUARY 13, 2022
The U.S. Department of Energy Office of Nuclear Energy (DOE-NE) published a Request for Information (RFI) Regarding Planning for Establishment of a Program to Support the Availability of High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) for Civilian Domestic Research, Development, Demonstration, and Commercial Use in the Federal Register.
DOE is working to enable the development and deployment of advanced nuclear reactors as part of meeting the Administration’s job creation, energy security, and climate goals. Most advanced reactors, including several designs selected for the Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program, are designed to be fueled by HALEU. The RFI aims to gather information to consider in preparing a required report to Congress describing actions proposed to be carried out by DOE under the
HALEU program.
Responses must be received by January 13, 2022 and may be submitted online or via email.
JANUARY 15, 2022
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Undersecretary for Science and Energy and Office of Policy (OP) request information on energy sector supply chains. This request for information (RFI) seeks input from all stakeholders involved directly and indirectly in the supply chains of energy, energy systems and technologies, and energy efficiency technologies from raw materials, processed materials, subcomponents, final products, to end-of-life material recovery and
recycling—including but not limited to U.S. industry, researchers, academia, local governments, and civil society. This stakeholder input will inform the Department's efforts in building an energy sector industrial base that is diverse, resilient, and competitive while meeting economic, national security, and climate objectives.
MARCH 4, 2022
The Department of Energy (DOE) has released a Request for Information (RFI) on how to site Federal facilities for the temporary, consolidated storage of spent nuclear fuel using a consent-based approach.
Responses to the RFI will inform development of a consent-based siting process, overall strategy for an integrated waste management system, and possibly a funding opportunity. DOE especially welcomes insight from people, communities, and groups that have historically not been well-represented in these discussions.
Responses must be received by March 4, 2022 by 5:00pm ET and may be submitted electronically to consentbasedsiting@hq.doe.gov, including “RFI: Consent-Based Siting and Federal Interim Storage” in the subject line of the email
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Manchin, Barrasso introduce bipartisan bill supporting deployment of advanced nuclear reactors
Manchin Press Release | 12/16/2021
On December 16, U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV), Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and John Barrasso (R-WY), Ranking Member of the Committee, introduced the Fission for the Future Act, bipartisan legislation that would support the commercial deployment of advanced nuclear reactors.
The legislation would prioritize communities that have retiring coal or other fossil generating facilities and assist in the reutilization of sites to deploy advanced nuclear power plants, promoting job growth in economically depressed regions. The median annual wage for a nuclear power reactor operator is $104,470, making it one of the highest paid positions in the electricity generation field. Nuclear power plants also foster a strong state and local tax base,
further strengthening communities. For every 100 jobs generated by a nuclear power plant, another 66 are created in the community.
The Fission for the Future Act would:
- Require the Secretary of Energy to establish a program to provide assistance to support the deployment of advanced nuclear reactors and associated infrastructure.
- Enable the Department of Energy to provide assistance to States, Indian Tribes, local governments, utilities, and private entities to support commercial planning, licensing, and development of advanced nuclear reactors.
- Prioritize communities that have retiring or retired fossil fuel generation facilities to help replace lost electricity generation with advanced nuclear reactors and support nonelectric applications – such as heating, hydrogen production, or industrial processes.
“Nuclear energy is an important source of zero-emission, baseload power that is critical to providing reliable, affordable, and dependable power as we chart the path to a cleaner energy future. Advanced nuclear technologies also provide an opportunity to repurpose shuttered coal and fossil generating plants, which could bring new high-paying jobs and economic opportunities to communities throughout the nation while expanding our domestic nuclear supply chain. I’m
proud to have worked with Senator Barrasso to introduce the Fission for the Future Act to support the development of these critical advanced nuclear reactors,” said Chairman Manchin.
“America must preserve and expand the use of nuclear energy. Our bipartisan legislation will assist state, local, and private stakeholders as they develop and license advanced nuclear reactors. Nuclear power is fundamental to meeting America’s energy and environmental goals. Wyoming will host TerraPower’s Natrium reactor, which will be the first of its kind anywhere in the world. It is designed to generate and store electricity. Our legislation will help train and
prepare local workers as we look ahead to the development of more of these groundbreaking reactors,” Ranking Member Barrasso said.
You can access full text of the bill here.
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Read about DOE's High Level Waste Interpretation
Have questions about DOE’s recent high-level waste (HLW) interpretation? Download ECA’s Key Points and FAQs on the issue to better understand what ECA believes are the potential benefits of implementation.
Interested in learning more? Read the ECA report “Making Informed Decisions on DOE's Proposed High Level Waste Definition” at www.energyca.org/publications
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Stay Current on Activities in the DOE World
Read the latest edition of the ECA Bulletin, a regular newsletter providing a detailed brief of ECA activities, legislative news, and major events from across the DOE complex. Have suggestions for future editions? Email bulletin@energyca.org.
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Learn More about Cleanup Sites with ECA's DOE Site Profiles
ECA's new site profiles detail DOE's 13 active Environmental Management cleanup sites and national laboratories, highlighting their history, missions, and priorities. The profiles are a key source for media, stakeholders, and the public to learn more about DOE site activities, contractors, advisory boards, and their surrounding local governments.
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