Focus on high-level waste repository management and regulation: A regulator's perspective

The $8 billion collected so far for the nuclear waste program has been provided by the nation's utility ratepayers. For many involved in the nuclear waste effort, it is easy to forget the ratepayers' financial stake, even though most have probably contributed to the Nuclear Waste Fund as utility customers. Rate regulators, however, are keenly aware of ratepayers' contributions, and the contingent additional costs utility customers may bear if these payments do not produce a workable storage system for spent fuel. It is one of our most important responsibilities to see that this money is well spent, and we are seriously troubled that this program is not making adequate progress