It's time to make a plan for nuclear waste

8 hours ago

Nuclear energy is gaining renewed interest in the US and globally, especially due to demand from tech companies.
The US produces 2,000 metric tons of high-level nuclear waste annually with no permanent disposal solution.
Most nuclear waste is stored onsite in temporary pools or casks, which are not designed for long-term storage.
The preferred long-term solution is deep geological repositories, with Finland nearing operational readiness.
France reprocesses spent fuel but still faces waste storage challenges and plans its own repository.
Yucca Mountain in the US was designated for waste storage but has stalled due to political opposition.
Countries like China, Bangladesh, and Turkey are expanding their nuclear programs, increasing global waste.
New interest and funding should be directed towards waste management, possibly via a dedicated organization.
Starting a permanent waste solution now is crucial, as the process can take decades.

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