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Can Collaboration Succeed in Siting a Spent Nuclear Fuel Facility in the United States?—A Challenge in Political Sustainability

Journal Article · · Sustainability (Basel)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.3390/su17114906· OSTI ID:2573767
 [1];  [2];  [2];  [2]
  1. Rutgers University and Vanderbilt University, Highland Park, NJ (United States)
  2. Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN (United States)
+ Show Author Affiliations
We examine the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)’s collaborative process to locate, build, and operate one or more federal consolidated interim storage facilities (FCISFs) for commercial U.S. spent nuclear fuel—instead of continuing to store the material at over 70 nuclear reactor sites. Technocratic siting of nuclear facilities in the U.S., most of which did not involve meaningful public participation, was not successful. We consider increasing pressure to find at least one FCISF site, as well as the critical role of trust in engaging communities and reaching agreement—leading some observers to assert that DOE is in the “trust building business”, not the siting business. We present case studies with the following: (1) illustrating community engagement that led to a more satisfactory outcome than had been anticipated (Fernald); (2) a planned voluntary process that failed to produce an operating CISF (Office of the Nuclear Waste Negotiator); and (3) a site that demonstrates the ongoing need for negotiations to keep a site open and operational (Waste Isolation Pilot Plant). The essay concludes with the observation that a collaboration-based siting effort can succeed in the U.S., but that five main challenges—related to trust and requiring patience—will need to be addressed.
Research Organization:
Idaho Operations Office, Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Nuclear Energy (NE)
Grant/Contract Number:
FC01-06EW07053; NE0009342
OSTI ID:
2573767
Journal Information:
Sustainability (Basel), Journal Name: Sustainability (Basel) Journal Issue: 11 Vol. 17; ISSN 2071-1050
Publisher:
MDPICopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
United States
collaboration
collaboration-based siting
interim storage
risk communication
spent nuclear fuel
trust