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This report documents public input received over the course of the Department's Invitation for Public Comment and eight consent-based siting public meetings.
The Department has begun early planning to evaluate the possibility of a separate repository for defense waste. The Department released a Draft Plan for a Defense Waste Repository for public comment on December 16, 2016.
This booklet provides an overview of issues involved in the Department's vision of an integrated waste management system and its consent-based approach to siting the facilities needed to manage nuclear waste.
The Administration's Strategy for the Management and Disposal of Used Nuclear Fuel and High-Level Radioactive Waste provides a framework for moving toward a sustainable program to manage our nation’s spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste.
Under Secretary for Science and Energy Lynn Orr discusses the consent-based siting initiative, as part of a strategy to for long-term storage and disposal of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste.
About Us
Our goal is to develop solutions for the long-term, sustainable management of our nation’s spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste. We are planning for an integrated waste management system to transport, store, and dispose of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste from commercial electricity generation, as well national defense activities. To achieve this goal, we are developing a process to site facilities collaboratively with the public, communities, stakeholders, and governments at the state, tribal, and local levels. We are seeking the help of all Americans in developing a consent-based approach to siting that is fair and reflective of public input. We are committed to finding a solution that protects our nation's citizens, communities, and the environment.
Join the Conversation
To launch the consent-based siting effort, we 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 responses the Department received during the comment period, please click here. We recently published a draft report summarizing the public input we received through the Invitation for Public Comment, as well as at eight public meetings around the country. To read the draft or view comments we received on the draft 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?
Consent based siting seeks to ensure fairness in the distribution of costs, benefits, risks and responsibilities now and in future generations. How, in your view, can fairness be best assured by the process for selecting a site?
What models and experience should the Department use in designing the process?
The challenges and opportunities of site selection drive us to continue to learn from previous or ongoing examples. From your perspective, what experience and models do you think are the most relevant to consider and draw from in designing the process for selecting a site?
Who should be involved in the process for selecting a site, and what is their role?
The Department believes that there may be a wide range of communities who will want to learn more and be involved in selecting a site. Participation in the process for selecting a site carries important responsibilities. What are your views on who should be involved and the roles participants should have?
What information and resources do you think would facilitate your participation?
The Department is committed to ensuring people and communities have sufficient information and access to resources for engaging fully and effectively in siting. What information and resources would be essential to enable you to learn the most about and participate in the siting process?
What else should be considered?
These questions are a starting point for discussion on the design of the consent-based siting process. The Department would like to hear about and discuss any related questions, issues, and ideas that you think are important.
Activities and Events
Upcoming Events
Please check back soon for upcoming events!
Past Events
On September 15, 2016, the Department hosted a meeting to summarize the input received in the initial phase of public engagement on consent-based siting and discuss next steps in designing a process. The meeting was held in Washington, DC. To view a video or transcript of the event, please click here.
The Department 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. These meetings included presentations from 40 diverse panelists and participation of about 600 people via webinar and in person. The meetings were held in:
- Minneapolis, Minnesota on July 21st. To view a video of the event and access meeting materials, please click here.
- Boise, Idaho on July 14th. To view a video of the event and access meeting materials, please click here.
- Tempe, Arizona on June 23rd. To view a video of the event and access meeting materials, please click here.
- Boston, Massachusetts on June 2nd. To view a video of the event and access meeting materials, please click here.
- Denver, Colorado on May 24th. To view a video of the event and access meeting materials, please click here.
- Sacramento, California on April 26th. To view a video of the event and access the meeting materials, please click here.
- Atlanta, Georgia on April 11th. To view a video of the event and access meeting materials, please click here.
- Chicago, Illinois on March 29th. To view a video of the event and access meeting materials, please click here.
Thank you to all who participated!
The Department also hosted a “kick-off meeting” for the consent-based siting effort in Washington, DC on January 20, 2016. You can find more information, including a summary and video of the event here.
Next Steps
Written comments submitted as part of the Invitation for Public Comment, along with input from the eight public meetings, are documented in this Draft Summary of Public Input Report. The Department collected public comments on the draft report to ensure the content accurately reflects the input we received, as well as to provide the opportunity for additional comments. The comment period ended on October 30, 2016. We are currently reviewing comments and integrating feedback into the final version of the report, to be issued later this year. Please check back soon!
The Department also recently released a Draft Plan for a Defense Waste Repository for public comment. If you would like to provide feedback or comments on the draft plan, please email DWR@hq.doe.gov. The comment period will remain open until March 20, 2017. You may also view the Request for Public Comment in the Federal Register.
If you would like to further discuss ideas for consent-based siting, please email us at consentbasedsiting@hq.doe.gov to begin a conversation. We will do our best to accommodate requests and help arrange additional opportunities to engage.
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