The Department of Energy’s Offices of Environmental Management (EM) and Nuclear Energy released request for applications (RFAs) Wednesday seeking partners to start recycling some of the country’s spent nuclear fuel.
Submissions for the two solicitations are both due by June 19, while questions surrounding the RFAs are due by May 19. DOE EM will sponsor an industry day on May 27 to discuss its RFA. Aaron Nebeker, nebekas@id.doe.gov, is the point of contact for EM’s solicitation.
The Environmental Management RFA is specifically geared towards companies interested in building a recycling demonstration project for defense-related waste at the Idaho Nuclear Technology and Engineering Center within DOE’s Idaho National Laboratory.
All questions regarding DOE Office of Nuclear Energy’s RFA should be directed to DOERecycling@id.doe.gov. There is no upcoming industry day listed for the Office of Nuclear Energy’s RFA, according to the Office of Nuclear Energy’s Wednesday solicitation.
DOE’s Office of Nuclear Energy is seeking proposals from the private sector to provide detailed plans to use DOE authorization to design, build and operate recycling, processing and fuel fabrication, according to DOE’s Wednesday press release. The applicant’s detailed plans may include considering Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) licensing too, according to the solicitation.
“Used nuclear fuel represents an immense, untapped energy resource for the United States,” Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy Ted Garrish said. “Under President Trump’s leadership, the Department of Energy is partnering with the private sector in advancing a circular nuclear economy by transforming used fuel from waste into a valuable resource.”
As for DOE EM, it is looking for industry proposals to construct a commercial-scale recycling demonstration project for defense-related nuclear waste at the Idaho National Laboratory center. Applicants would recycle used nuclear fuel currently stored at the Idaho site, according to EM’s solicitation. The selected applicant will secure a long-term lease for prime DOE property at the federal installation, according to the release.
“By unleashing the power of private industry, we will fast-track the development of advanced fuel cycle capabilities essential for the responsible management of our defense used nuclear fuel,” Assistant Secretary for EM Tim Walsh said. “This is a critical step in strengthening our domestic nuclear infrastructure and cementing America’s place as the global leader in nuclear technology.”
Applicants for both solicitations must take responsibility for funding their projects. Under DOE EM’s solicitation, applicants are required to show financial resources but can pursue a DOE loan.