Conca, J. (2014, August 29). Confidence — What Does It Mean For Nuclear Waste?

Forbes Magazine. Retrieved September 7, 2014, from http://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesconca/2014/08/29/confidence-what-does-it-mean-for-nuclear-waste/

 

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission approved a statement which paves the way for storing nuclear waste for over a hundred years. This ruling allows for new nuclear power plants to be built without waiting for a final waste repository. This restores the country’s confidence in its ability to handle nuclear waste, which was lost when the 2009 final waste repository plan was cancelled. Storing used fuel in dry casks is safe, cheap, and emits as much heat as a home heating system, which decreases with time. Furthermore, new reactors can burn spent fuel and produce ten times more energy.

 

A principle environmental concern over nuclear power is the radioactive residue left by spent fuel. If not handled property, dangerous radiation could spread, threating the atmosphere and living creatures. The durability and cost effectiveness of dry cask storage helps alleviate most of these fears. Using the waste as fuel for future reactors solves the problem of running out of space, and makes the nuclear power process cheaper, more efficient, and safer. With advances in technology like these, we may be on track to a clean energy source faster than expected.