The United States is facing a nuclear waste crisis, with over 90,000 metric tons of spent fuel stored at reactor sites across the country. Despite plans for an ambitious new generation of nuclear reactors, a solution to storing the dangerous, long-lived refuse remains elusive. The Supreme Court has recently weighed in on the issue, allowing work to move forward on a privately operated facility in Texas that would store nuclear waste on an interim basis.
Forecast for 6 months: In the next 6 months, we can expect to see the privately operated facility in Texas begin construction, with the goal of consolidating stranded fuel from decommissioned plants. However, the lack of a long-term storage solution will continue to be a major concern.
Forecast for 1 year: In the next year, we can expect to see increased pressure on the US government to develop a long-term storage solution for nuclear waste. The Supreme Court’s decision may pave the way for other interim storage facilities to be built, but the ultimate goal of finding a permanent solution will remain elusive.
Forecast for 5 years: In the next 5 years, we can expect to see significant progress on developing a long-term storage solution for nuclear waste. The US Department of Energy may announce a new location for a permanent storage facility, and private companies may invest heavily in developing new technologies for nuclear waste storage.
Forecast for 10 years: In the next 10 years, we can expect to see a significant reduction in the amount of nuclear waste stored at reactor sites across the country. A permanent storage facility may be built, and new technologies may be developed to make nuclear waste storage safer and more efficient.
