RULING AND RULEMAKING ON “CONTINUED STORAGE OF SPENT FUEL BEYOND THE LICENSED LIFE FOR OPERATION OF A REACTOR” (A.K.A. WASTE CONFIDENCE)

On August 26, 2014, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission met in an affirmation session and approved publication of the final rule and its associated generic environmental impact statement on the continued storage of spent fuel beyond the licensed life for operation of reactors, formerly called “WASTE CONFIDENCE.”  At the same affirmation, the Commission approved issuance of a Memorandum and Order lifting the suspension on final licensing decisions that the Commission imposed in CLI-12-16 [CLI-12-16 can be found at pbadupws.nrc.gov/docs/ML1222/ML12220A100pdf] and provided direction to ASLBs related to the treatment of “continued storage” contentions that were held in abeyance in twenty-one adjudicatory proceedings pending in the agency.

— The SRM for the Final Rule – Continued Storage of Spent Fuel (SECY-14-0072) and the Memorandum and Order Lifting Suspension (SECY-14-0075) can be found at www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/commission/srm/2014/2014-0072srm.pdf

— The Memorandum and Order Lifting Suspensions (CLI-14-08) can be found at www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/docs-collections/commission/orders/2014/2014-08cli.pdf

— The Commission’s voting record with each Commissioner’s vote and comments can be found at www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/commission/cvr/2014