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Storage of Spent Nuclear Fuel
Related Information
- Division of Spent Fuel Management Regulatory Conference
- Locations of Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installations
- Dry Spent Fuel Storage Designs: NRC Approved for General Use
- Licensing and Certification Schedule
- Schedule for Rulemakings to Amend Part 72.214 for Dry Storage Casks
- Transportation of Spent Nuclear Fuel
- Materials Safeguards and Threat Assessment
- Proposed Security Rulemaking for Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installations
- Spent Fuel Storage in Pools and Dry Casks Key Points and Questions & Answers
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 – Licensees may also store spent nuclear fuel in dry cask storage systems at independent spent fuel storage facilities (ISFSIs) at the following sites:
- At Reactor – Licensees may use dry storage systems when approaching their pool capacity limit.
- Away-From-Reactor – Licensees may use dry storage systems at one of the following locations:
- Decommissioned Reactor Sites – After terminating reactor operations and removing structures used in reactor operations, the licensee stores spent fuel on-site pending off-site transport to either a site-specific ISFSI that is authorized to receive the spent fuel, or a permanent geologic repository licensed for disposal.
- Consolidated Interim Storage Facility (CISF) – Dry cask storage at an away-from-reactor site pending disposal at a permanent disposal facility
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 and security 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:
- Regulations, Guidance, and Communications
- Licensing
- Oversight
- Public Involvement
- Continued Storage of Spent Nuclear Fuel
Page Last Reviewed/Updated Wednesday, October 12, 2016
