US Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff has recommended that Florida-based Holtec International be given a licence to build and operate an interim storage facility for used nuclear fuel in New Mexico.
The decision was announced as the NRC published its final environmental impact statement (EIS) for Holtec’s application for a licence for the facility in Lea County, New Mexico.
Holtec proposes initially to store 500 canisters holding approximately 8,680 tonnes of spent nuclear fuel in a first phase and eventually to store up to 10,000 canisters in an additional 19 phases. Holtec said the US has more than 80,000 tonnes of used nuclear fuel in storage and more is being generated at the rate of around 2,000 tonnes per year.
The decision was announced as the NRC published its final environmental impact statement (EIS) for Holtec’s application for a licence for the facility in Lea County, New Mexico.
Holtec proposes initially to store 500 canisters holding approximately 8,680 tonnes of spent nuclear fuel in a first phase and eventually to store up to 10,000 canisters in an additional 19 phases. Holtec said the US has more than 80,000 tonnes of used nuclear fuel in storage and more is being generated at the rate of around 2,000 tonnes per year.
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