Vol. 11, No. 48

Interim Storage & Waste Disposal

Final Congressional Push of 2018 Fails to Revive Yucca Mountain

Last-minute efforts this week on Capitol Hill to funnel money into programs for storage and permanent disposal of the nation’s nuclear waste sputtered out quietly, overshadowed by Congress’ showdown with President Donald Trump over the federal budget. The seeminly quixotic endeavors were connected to congressional efforts to craft a budget funding the Homeland Security Department […]
  • Decommissioning

    Nuclear Waste Bills Mostly DOA in 115th Congress

    After a fair amount of fanfare, a House bill to push forward development of the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository in Nevada appears to have run out of time in the waning days of the 115th Congress. But, in securing strong votes of approval in committee and on the House floor, Rep. John Shimkus’ (R-Ill.) […]

  • Budget & Policy

    Senate’s Top Energy Appropriator to Retire After 2020

    Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), the Senate’s lead appropriator for the Department of Energy and Nuclear Regulatory Commisson, announced this week that he will leave the Senate after 2020. Alexander chairs the Senate Appropriations energy and water subcommittee, in which capacity he is the gatekeeper for upper chamber funding of a host of programs incluidng management […]

  • Budget & Policy

    McConnell’s Office Offers No Lifeline for DOE Nuclear Energy Nominee in Next Congress

    The nominee for the top nuclear energy position at the Department of Energy could get another trip through the Senate confirmation process for Christmas, according to a spokesperson for Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.). Asked whether there was any chance that Rita Baranwal might be allowed a confirmation vote as assistant energy secretary for nuclear energy […]

  • Decommissioning

    SONGS’ Operator Requests Conference With NRC on Spent Fuel Mishap

    The operator of the retired San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) in California has requested a public meeting with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to discuss potential safety violations connected to an Aug. 3 mishap in transfer of spent reactor fuel. “As discussed, SCE has decided to use Pre-decisional Enforcement Conference (PEC} for the two apparent […]

  • International

    U.K. Formally Begins Search for Geological Disposal Site

    The government of the United Kingdom on Wednesday officially began its search for a site for a geologic disposal facility for its stockpile of higher-activity radioactive waste. “There is no preferred location for a GDF and we are adopting a consent-based process to identify a suitable area to host the facility. A suitable site will […]

  • Commercial Low-Level Waste

    Wrap Up: Michigan Legislature Passes TENORM Disposal Bills

    The Michigan Legislature this week passed legislation setting out restrictions on disposal of technologically enhanced naturally occurring radioactive materials (TENORM) in state landfills, along with an accompanying funding bill. Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder (R) “has not made any decisions on these bills,” spokesman Ari Adler said by email this week. “He needs to review them […]

  • Budget & Policy

    Publication Notice

    RadWaste Monitor will not be published on Dec. 28 in observance of the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. Please look for the next issue in your inbox on Friday, Jan. 4, 2019.

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