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Radioactive Waste
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Storage of Spent Nuclear Fuel
Key Topics
Related Information
- Radioactive Waste: Production, Storage, Disposal (NUREG/BR-0216)
- Materials Safeguards and Threat Assessment
- Transportation of Spent Nuclear Fuel
- Locations of Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installations
- Dry Spent Fuel Storage Designs: NRC Approved for General Use
- Nuclear Fuel Pool Capacity
- Diablo Canyon ISFSI License Application
- Licensing and Certification Schedule
- Licensing and Certification Data Dictionary
- Schedule for Rulemakings to Amend Part 72.214 for Dry Storage Casks
What We Regulate
There are two acceptable storage methods for spent fuel after it is removed from the reactor core:
- Spent Fuel Pools - Currently, most spent nuclear fuel is safely stored in specially designed pools at individual reactor sites around the country.
- Dry Cask Storage - If pool capacity is reached, licensees may move toward use of dry storage systems.
For additional information, see our Spent Fuel Storage in Pools and Dry Casks, Key Points and Questions & Answers page.
How We Regulate
The NRC regulates spent fuel through a combination of regulatory requirements, licensing; safety oversight, including inspection, assessment of performance; and enforcement; operational experience evaluation; and regulatory support activities. For general information, see the How We Regulate page. For details, see the following:
Page Last Reviewed/Updated Friday, December 21, 2012