Consider waste in advanced nuclear initiative, says Deep Isolation

The National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) launched the Advanced Nuclear First Mover Initiative in February this year to support states to explore ways to bring down project costs and meet rapidly growing power needs in the USA. The initiative is co-chaired by the states of New York, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Wyoming. Louisiana, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia, and West Virginia are also participating states. The Strategy outlines how the eleven 'First Mover States' are collaborating to accelerate the deployment of advanced nuclear power through an integrated orderbook supported by collaborative pathways for financing, siting, workforce, and supply chains.

Last month, NASEO issued a Request for Information (RFI) in support of the initiative. It said the RFI will "provide the First Mover states and NASEO with information on a potential structure for an advanced nuclear project orderbook strategy, status and use cases for different nuclear technologies, and investment and coordination models". 

Deep Isolation announced it has submitted a response to the RIF, noting: "To date, the Strategy makes no mention of the spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste that will result - though the lack of a safe, permanent waste solution remains one of Americans' top concerns about nuclear power."

Deep Isolation's response sets out how this "missing piece" of the Orderbook Strategy can be filled. It calls for the US Nuclear Industry Council's (USNIC's) recommendations to be integrated into the Orderbook Strategy: working collaboratively with communities to accelerate innovative disposal technologies, launching near-term demonstrations, and mobilising private investment through public-private partnerships and legislative reform. "Together, these efforts strengthen the viability of the orderbook strategy by embedding disposal into the advanced nuclear lifecycle," the company said.

The submission highlights three specific calls to action for participating states. Firstly, they should join the Deep Borehole Demonstration Center, the non-profit at Cameron, Texas where Deep Isolation plans to deliver the world's first full-scale non-radioactive deep borehole disposal pilot with initial canister emplacement, targeted for 2027. In addition, they should support early borehole demonstrations in their states and advocate in Congress for legislative reforms that unlock innovation and public-private partnerships for radioactive waste disposal.

"By embedding disposal into their Orderbook Strategy, First Mover States can reduce financial risk, increase investor confidence, and build public trust that advanced nuclear comes with a complete lifecycle solution," said Deep Isolation CEO Rod Baltzer. "Deep Isolation's technology can play a key role in this. We combine state-of-the-art drilling technology from our suppliers in the oil and gas sector with our proprietary, universal, disposal-ready canister system to provide the first genuinely scalable, flexible, and near-term solution for spent fuel and high-level waste. We stand ready to help First Mover States lead the way in solving the waste challenge at the same time as they pioneer new reactor deployment."

NASEO is an association for energy officials from all US states and territories. State energy officials are appointed by state governors: NASEO aims to facilitate peer learning among state energy officials, as well as providing a resource for and about State Energy Offices, and advocating the interests of the State Energy Offices to Congress and federal agencies. The initiative extends NASEO's existing work with states in support of advanced nuclear energy projects.