This article discusses the ongoing problem of used nuclear fuel (UNF) in the United States, with a focus on the need for a new approach, specifically recycling, to manage this waste effectively.
• Current Situation: Nuclear energy accounts for nearly 20% of U. S. electricity. Over 90,000 metric tons of used nuclear fuel are stored across 39 states, including 4,000 metric tons in Texas. Although the government has collected over $20 billion for the disposal of UNF, it has not removed any significant amount from reactor sites.
• Challenges: The lack of significant removal of UNF results in financial loss and continued storage issues at reactor sites. There have been attempts to create interim storage facilities in Texas and New Mexico, yet these proposals face strong opposition, leading to legal disputes currently being reviewed by the Supreme Court.
• Proposed Solution: The article argues for rethinking the management of UNF through recycling instead of long-term storage. Recycling can provide a new energy source, utilizing technology already in use in countries like France and Japan. Establishing a recycling policy would:
1. Remove UNF from reactor sites.
2. Restart a financial program for nuclear utilities that could generate $2 billion annually for the Treasury.
3. Mitigate concerns about storing nuclear waste near populated areas.
4. Replace the current need for nuclear fuel sourced from Russia.
• Benefits of Recycling:
• Recycling would maximize the use of UNF, creating mixed oxide fuel (MOX) for reactors.
• It addresses the issue of UNF disposal and contributes to energy needs, generating jobs and supporting energy demand.
Renewing nuclear waste management by adopting a recycling policy is presented as a feasible solution to the United States' nuclear energy challenges. This approach could enhance energy reliability while addressing environmental and financial concerns linked to UNF storage.
Rick Perry, the author, emphasizes that effective solutions already exist and that the U. S. should catch up with other countries in recycling nuclear fuel.
https://wattsupwiththat.com/2025/03/29/recycling-power-rethinking-nuclear-waste/
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