The Department of Energy and Canadian nonprofit Nuclear Waste Management Organization signed an agreeement to cooperate on used nuclear fuel management, the Canadian organization announced Tuesday.
“The agreement reflects the U.S. and Canada’s shared commitment to safely managing used nuclear fuel, including that from small modular reactors,” the Nuclear Waste Management Organization wrote in a press release. “It will foster information-sharing for consent-based siting, science and technology programs, engagement activities and joint technical studies.”
“As the U.S. develops our consent-based siting process, we need to hear from diverse perspectives to build a stronger approach — and that includes lessons learned from our colleagues in Canada,” Kathryn Huff, DOE’s assistant secretary for nuclear energy said in the release. “Sharing information and collaborating will bring a sustainable, clean energy future closer to reality.”
The parties formally signed what they have called a statement of intent on Tuesday at the Canadian embassy in Washington, according to the release.