The Advancing Research in Nuclear Fuel Recycling Act, introduced by Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), aims to address a longstanding question in the nuclear energy industry: What to do with the country’s spent nuclear fuel?
Nuclear energy plays a vital role in the U.S. energy mix, providing a reliable, carbon-free power source. However, the accumulation of spent nuclear fuel is a sticking point for many nuclear critics. This is where the Advancing Research in Nuclear Fuel Recycling Act comes into play. The bipartisan legislation would direct the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Academy of Sciences to create an independent committee of experts to explore the potential of recycling spent nuclear fuel.
“CRES applauds Sens. Cruz and Heinrich for bringing attention to the need of innovative solutions for managing domestic spent nuclear fuel,” said CRES President Heather Reams. “While countries like France have a long track record of safely and securely reprocessing nuclear fuel, the United States banned commercial nuclear reprocessing in 1977 during the Carter Administration. We applaud this bill as a meaningful step toward reconsidering the misguided moratorium on reprocessing to usher a new generation of innovative technologies that can help our nuclear sector bolster and diversify its fuel supply and better utilize spent fuel.”
CRES looks forward to seeing what American innovation and ingenuity can do in the nuclear industry with the help of legislation like this that focuses on maximizing resources, minimizing waste and advancing the role of nuclear power in the U.S.