DOE Releases Report on Consent-Based Siting Comments DOE-NE | 9/15/2022
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The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) released a new report today summarizing public feedback on the Department's consent-based siting process to identify sites for the consolidated interim storage of the nation’s spent nuclear fuel. This report will be followed by an updated consent-based siting process document that incorporates public feedback.
On December 1, 2021, DOE issued a request for information (RFI) on using consent-based siting to identify sites for interim storage of spent nuclear fuel. DOE received 225 submissions in response from a wide variety of commenters, including the Energy Communities Alliance. To read ECA's formal comments, please click here. The new report summarizes and analyzes the input provided in these responses. It also summarizes responses to an earlier request for
comment on the Draft Consent-Based Siting Process for Consolidated Storage and Disposal Facilities for Spent Nuclear Fuel and High-Level Radioactive Waste released by DOE in 2017. The Department reported it is incorporating the public input described in this report in its efforts to pursue a consent based siting process, advance progress toward an integrated waste management system, and develop funding opportunities for interested groups and communities. Major themes in the RFI responses, as identified by the report, include: - Distrust of DOE and of the federal government's nuclear waste
management efforts more broadly;
- An emphasis on "fairness" - both in the way the siting process itself is conducted and in terms of outcomes from the siting process;
- An appreciation of the challenges inherent in defining consent and successfully implementing a consent-based siting process;
- Significant differences of opinion about whether the federal government should pursue consolidated interim storage for commercial spent fuel, including related concerns about progress toward a deep geologic repository and transportation requirements and risks;
- Support for changes in the nation's overall approach to nuclear waste management and for a new,
independent organization to lead waste management efforts; and
- Strong differences of opinion about the need for and merits of nuclear energy technology.
The report identifies next
steps that DOE is committed to taking, which include (1) implementing congressional direction in a way that maximizes the potential benefits of consolidated interim storage, (2) addressing the current deficit of trust in DOE by making changes internally and externally, (3) ensuring that its consent-based siting process is fair and inclusive, (4) focusing on fairness in siting outcomes by putting communities’ needs and well-being at the center of the siting process, (5) continuing and expanding
ongoing efforts to address transportation issues and related planning needs, and (6) rigorously applying safety, security, and other criteria in all aspects of the siting process, including by supporting communities that wish to conduct independent studies related to safety and other issues of concern.
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September 21-23, 2022 NEW VENUE: CRYSTAL GATEWAY MARRIOTT IN ARLINGTON, VA! We are pleased to host the 2022 National Cleanup Workshop at the Crystal
Gateway Marriott in Arlington, VA. Join us to discuss a new era of cleanup success. Hear from senior DOE officials, local government officials, and industry leaders about DOE's cleanup priorities, the future of the workforce, and more. Additional information on registration and hotel room blocks is available here. We look forward to seeing you in September! |
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DOE should institutionalize oversight plans for new reactor demos, report finds ECA Staff | 09/14/22 Nuclear power plants account for about 20% of the electricity and half of the carbon-free electricity generated in the U.S. However, economic challenges have led to the closure or planned shutdown of multiple nuclear
power plants. To address these challenges, the U.S. Department of Energy
(DOE) has made awards to projects that demonstrate first-of-a-kind small modular and advanced reactors. In fiscal year 2021, DOE made awarded $4.6 billion to support three projects in the development of new reactor types that are expected to bring improvements. The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) was asked to review DOE’s management of nuclear energy demonstration awards. Their recent report (1) describes awards DOE has made to support the demonstration of small modular and advanced reactors; and (2) examines actions DOE is taking to manage risks associated with
awards. AWARDS TO SUPPORT SMALL MODULAR AND ADVANCED REACTOR
DEMONSTRATION DOE awarded the Carbon Free Power Project (CFPP) about $1.4 billion for a small modular reactor plant near Idaho Falls, Idaho. CFPP expects to complete construction in August 2029 and begin delivering power by December 2029.
Under the Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program, DOE awarded TerraPower about $2 billion to complete the NatriumTM Demonstration in Wyoming by 202823 and awarded X-energy
about $1.2 billion to complete the Xe-100 Demonstration in Washington State by 2027.
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DOE
HAS TAKEN SEVERAL ACTIONS TO MANAGE RISKS BUT HAS NOT FULLY INSTITUTIONALIZED OVERSIGHT PLANS FOR ITS NUCLEAR ENERGY DEMONSTRATION AWARDS DOE has taken several actions to manage risks associated with the three demonstration awards. Specifically, DOE uses existing project management
practices such as budget controls, milestone tracking, and other procedures to manage risks. In addition, the Office of Nuclear Energy (NE) and the newly established Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) plan to use additional project management practices, such as external independent reviews, to oversee the awards.
However, neither office has institutionalized its plans by documenting these additional project management practices. GAO found that documenting these processes, including the use of external independent reviews, would allow DOE to share best practices across offices during the course of these multi-year awards, potentially resulting in stronger federal oversight of the projects and improved project performance. GAO recommends that the Secretary of Energy ensure that NE and OCED coordinate and institutionalize via documentation their processes for providing
oversight for large nuclear energy demonstration projects, including the use of external independent reviews, steps for addressing any risks identified, and criteria for which projects should use these processes. To read the full report, please click here.
POLICY & LEGISLATIVE Fri, Sept 16 at 2:00 PM ET - Nuclear Energy Provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act Webinar The recently enacted
Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is expected to have significant impacts on the power grid. The law includes approximately $369 billion in incentives for clean energy and climate-related program spending, including several provisions aimed at increasing nuclear power generation: Production Tax Credits for existing nuclear plants and new advanced nuclear reactors; an Investment Tax Credit for clean electricity technologies; loan guarantees; and funding for research, development and production of
domestic High Assay Low Enrichment Uranium (HALEU) fuel. This webinar will feature an expert panel to discuss the IRA’s nuclear programs and share their opinions on how the law will impact nuclear power. Time will be available for Q&A. To register for the webinar, click here. |
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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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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