Energy.gov

Next Steps in Developing a Consent-Based Approach to Siting

As the Department moves forward with planning for an integrated waste management system, we are committed to a consent-based approach to siting. A consent-based approach is built on collaboration—with the public, with stakeholders, and with governments at the local, state, and tribal levels. 

Looking forward, we plan to conduct a consent-based siting process in multiple phases. The first phase involves engaging with the public and interested parties to learn from them what elements are important to consider when designing a consent-based siting process. The second phase will focus on documenting a consent-based siting process to serve as a framework for collaborating with potentially interested host communities. In subsequent phases, the Department will use the resulting consent-based process to work with interested communities and ultimately begin siting facilities. 

Opportunities to Participate

To launch this effort, the Department issued an Invitation for Public Comment in the Federal Register soliciting input on important considerations in designing a fair and effective process for siting. The comment period ended on July 31, 2016. To review the more than 10,000 responses the Department received during the comment period, please click here. To read the Draft Summary of Public Input Report, please click here. Key questions considered as part of the Invitation for Public Comment included:

• How can the Department ensure that the process for selecting a site is fair?
• What models and experience should the Department use in designing the process?
• Who should be involved in the process for selecting a site, and what is their role?
• What information and resources do you think would facilitate your participation?
• What else should be considered?

The Department also recently concluded a series of eight public meetings around the country. The purpose of these meetings was to hear from the public, communities, states, Tribal Nations, and all interested stakeholders on what matters to you as we move forward in developing a consent-based process. Read more about these meetings here.

The input we received will inform the design of consent-based siting process, which will in turn serve as a framework for engaging with potential host communities in the future. Ultimately, we hope to work collaboratively with the public and interested communities to begin identifying potential partners in managing the nation’s nuclear waste.