Waste Control Specialists CEO Rod Baltzer says the company expects to complete its license application for a consolidated interim spent nuclear fuel storage facility in Texas by May 1.
WCS is one of two companies planning to submit an application to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for a license to build and operate an interim storage facility under the Department of Energy’s consent-based storage plan for nuclear waste. The department in December unveiled a three-part siting process, which encompasses plans for a pilot facility, interim facilities, and eventually one or more permanent repositories.
Holtec International plans to build its own facility in New Mexico. Holtec Senior Vice President Pierre Oneid said during a telephone interview Monday that the company and its partners expect to submit a license application to NRC in June.
Baltzer provided an update on WCS plans in a video presentation Friday on the company’s website. WCS will apply for an initial 40-year license, with a 20-year option to renew, for the storage of 40,000 metric tons at a facility built in eight phases. Each phase will accommodate 5,000 metric tons of heavy-metal, spent fuel, Baltzer said.
Baltzer noted that WCS’ and Holtec’s plans will require congressional action allowing DOE to contract with private companies. Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) said last week that he would champion a change in law that would give DOEW that authority.
Baltzer said in the video: “In order for any of us to contribute to the (nuclear waste) solution, we must get clear direction from Congress that the federal government will be in a position to use the interest from the Nuclear Waste Fund to pay for interim storage. This is a very significant step and would provide a mechanism to give DOE the ability to enter into contracts with private companies to provide interim storage of used nuclear fuel.”
Last fall, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Conaway (R-Texas) introduced House Resolution 3643, which would allow DOE to spend annual interest from the $34 billion Nuclear Waste Fund on interim storage, freeing up as much as $1 billion a year starting in 2016. Conaway’s district includes Andrews County, Texas, where WCS plans to open its interim storage facility. However, the bill’s chances are questionable.
Assuming a bill is approved, Baltzer said WCS could begin constructing the facility in the second half of 2019 and start accepting waste at the start of 2021.
