Nuclear fuel: How to store it safely
It is no secret that the Southeast is one of the fastest-growing areas in the United States.聽The Southeast鈥檚 GDP was $3.45 trillion in 2012, $600 billion more than the Pacific and Mid-Atlantic regions. Further, population rise in the South has maintained a brisk pace for decades.聽Charlotte and Raleigh in particular are recognized as economically dynamic, culturally vibrant cities, and boast an unmatched quality of life.
The important links between quality of life, economic growth and energy consumption are not secret.聽In order for the Carolinas to maintain economic progress, we need to ensure the production of a stable and robust electricity supply.聽This requires reliable and inexpensive power from a balanced and diverse generation portfolio that includes the vital contribution of nuclear power.
Nuclear power provides approximately 35 percent of North Carolina鈥檚 electricity generation. This is clean, safe, affordable and reliable electricity that serves as the stable energy foundation for economic growth in the state.聽Charlotte has become a hub of the nuclear industry and hosts a dynamic energy cluster that benefits from access to world-class educational institutions and a supportive infrastructure.聽
Earlier this week, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) held a聽听颈苍 Charlotte to discuss a proposed rule that would serve as the basis for the commission鈥檚 confidence that used nuclear fuel can and will be safely stored after generating electric power. The commission has taken a serious and thorough approach to examining the potential environmental impacts of used nuclear fuel storage, and the public deserves this regulatory diligence.
The technical aspects for safe and effective used nuclear fuel management are well understood.聽From our operating experience and technical expertise, we know in astounding detail the characteristics of used nuclear fuel, and how to design systems and protections to assure proper containment and safeguards. This is supported by our proven track record of safe,聽听颈苍 used fuel pools and in dry storage, both in the United States and abroad, over many decades. Our challenge is to leverage these technological and engineering capabilities to support a sustainable policy path that includes ultimate disposition of material in a geologic repository.
This particular rule is important聽because a clear determination from the NRC of their confidence in the safe management of used nuclear fuel will allow the commission to resume issuing licenses and license renewals for the operation of nuclear plants and safe, onsite storage of used nuclear fuel.聽This will assure the continued operation and growth of nuclear electricity generation in the Southeast and power the region鈥檚 economic growth.
Citizens of North Carolina should be comfortable supporting the NRC鈥檚 conclusion that used nuclear fuel can be stored safely and they deserve timely completion of the聽聽process. Charlotte鈥檚 leadership in nuclear power and the energy industry is the foundation for economic growth in the Carolinas. Throughout the Southeast and all of North America, we are moving forward with confidence toward a clean, safe and affordable energy future.
Tom Franch, is senior vice president of AREVA Inc. North America
