Consent-Based Siting Funding Opportunity Announcement Q&A with Dr. Katy Huff and Sam Brinton DOE Office of Nuclear Energy | 9/30/2022 |
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A consent-based approach to siting facilities prioritizes the participation and needs of people and communities. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is using a consent-based siting approach to identify sites for interim storage location(s) for the
nation’s spent nuclear fuel.
DOE issued a $16 million funding opportunity announcement (FOA)
to support public engagement with DOE’s consent-based siting activities. This FOA will allow communities to learn more about consent-based siting, management of spent nuclear fuel, and interim storage facility siting considerations. This funding opportunity will support a group of awardees who will represent a consent-based siting consortia that will operate over a period of 18-24 months. Groups in the consortia will act as information, engagement, and resource hubs to enable mutual learning,
promote community participation, and provide direct grants to interested communities. Dr.
Kathryn Huff, DOE’s Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy, will provide a high-level overview on consent-based siting. Following, Sam Brinton, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Spent Nuclear Fuel and Waste Disposition, will provide updates on the consent-based siting program and background on the recently issued FOA. Date and Time: Oct 3, 2022 at 03:00 PM Eastern |
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GAO: DOE Needs to Improve Transparency in Planning for Disposal of Certain Low-Level Waste Government Accountability Office | 09/29/22 The Department of Energy is responsible for disposing of certain low-level nuclear waste from medical equipment, metals in nuclear reactors, and cleanup sites. The Energy Policy Act
of 2005 required DOE to assess the potential environmental effects of various disposal options. No legal options currently exist. DOE's assessments were extensive but didn't give rationales for preferring certain disposal options. They also weren't clear on the amount of waste that will need disposal—key information for decision makers. We recommended ways to improve transparency. We also suggested that Congress consider addressing legal barriers to waste disposal. Continue reading >> |
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION |
NRC Seeks Comment on Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Kairos “Hermes” Test Reactor Construction Permit Nuclear Regulatory Commission | 09/29/22 Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff is seeking the public’s views regarding the agency’s draft Environmental Impact Statement on Kairos Power’s application for a permit to build a test version of the company’s advanced reactor design, called “Hermes,” in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The NRC is interested in comments on the statement’s draft conclusions regarding the
environmental impacts of the proposed action. NRC staff
will consider written comments on the draft supplemental EIS until Dec. 6, following the publication of a notice in the Federal Register. Comments can be submitted via email to KairosHermes-CPEIS@nrc.gov or via the regulations.gov website (include Docket ID NRC-2021-0193 in website comments). Comments can also be submitted by traditional mail to Office of Administration, Mail Stop: TWFN-7-A60M, ATTN: Program Management, Announcements and Editing Staff, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555- 0001. The staff will also hold a public meeting Nov. 16, including a webinar and teleconference, regarding the draft EIS. The meeting, to be held at the Hilton DoubleTree, 215 S. Illinois Ave. in Oak Ridge, from 7-9 p.m., Eastern time,
will include a presentation on the draft statement’s findings and a transcribed public comment session. The meeting agenda, as well as details for attending via webinar or teleconference, will be available on the agency’s Public Meeting Schedule. Meeting details will also be available by Nov. 1 on the NRC’s Kairos construction permit review page. Kairos filed an application on Sept. 29, 2021, seeking a permit to build a 35-megawatt, non-power reactor, which uses molten salt to
cool the reactor core. The test reactor would provide operational data to support the development of a larger version meant for commercial deployment. The company will have to submit a separate application for an operating license for the test reactor in the future. A copy of the draft EIS will be available for public review at the Oak Ridge Public Library, 1401 Oak Ridge Turnpike in Oak Ridge. |
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Interactive guide for communities and governments to help navigate nuclear waste cleanup The Energy Communities Alliance (ECA) recently released the Guide to Successful Environmental Cleanup, an interactive online resource that provides frequently asked questions, case studies, and recommendations regarding nuclear waste cleanup. To assist local government officials, their communities, and federal agencies in deciphering the
complexities of the environmental cleanup process, ECA developed this guide to facilitate future successful cleanups. |
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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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