Licensing considerations for monitored retrievable storage

The enactment of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 (NWPA) provided new perspectives on interim spent fuel storage and also introduced the possibility of long-term monitored retrievable storage (MRS) of spent fuel and high-level waste by the Federal Government. In the case of interim storage, the Congress found that the owners of nuclear power reactors should have the primary responsibility for the interim storage of spent fuel by making use of existing storage and adding onsite capacity as required. Limited federal storage (not more than 1900 metric tons) is to be provided by DOE only if the owners cannot provide sufficient storage to maintain orderly reactor operation. In addition, DOE and NRC have the role of encouraging and expediting the use of existing storage capabilities and any necessary additional storage capacity at reactor sites. With regard to long-term storage of spent fuel and high-level waste, the Congress found that MRS facilities are an option for providing safe and reliable management of such materials. Accordingly, the NWPA directs DOE to proceed with the development of a proposal for construction of one or more MRS facilities for consideration by Congress. The proposal is to be submitted by June 1, 1985. If Congress should subsequently authorize construction of an MRS, the NWPA requires the MRS to be licensed by the NRC