Caution, study, review urged with Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus

Idaho Gov. Brad Little said what many Idahoans have been waiting to hear regarding negotiations that could bring a Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus to the state.

Most importantly, he made it clear that Idaho's participation will not come at the expense of the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer or Idaho residents' health.

“I’ve had this direct conversation with Secretary (of Energy Chris) Wright: Disposal of spent fuel over the aquifer in Idaho, that's a nonstarter,” Little said in an interview Wednesday at the Idaho State Capitol, according to the Idaho Capital Sun.

Earlier this year, Idaho responded to a U.S. Department of Energy request for information seeking states interested in hosting Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campuses. The initiative is intended to modernize the nation's nuclear fuel cycle and strengthen America's leadership in advanced nuclear energy.

Idaho is among the finalists.

States selected to host a Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus would become hubs for advanced nuclear development. According to the governor's office, the designation could strengthen Idaho's economy, expand access to reliable baseload power and place the state at the forefront of next-generation nuclear technologies.

Supporters say such a campus could bring thousands of jobs and generate millions of dollars in economic activity.

Those potential benefits are significant. Still, Idaho should proceed cautiously. According to a Capital Sun report, if Idaho is selected, the federal government expects the state to accept shipments of spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste from other states.

That alone should make Idahoans pay close attention.

Spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste are handled under strict safety standards, and those measures have proven effective. We are not suggesting Idaho faces the kind of catastrophic disasters seen at Chernobyl in 1986 or Fukushima in 2011.

Idaho addresses such concerns in its response to the RFP: "Idaho is poised to engage in discussions about the eventual siting of a permanent national repository. Idaho intends to collaborate closely with the federal government and neighboring states that are interested in serving as long-term repository locations, ensuring the responsible disposition of waste streams."

The response goes on to state: "One of Idaho’s greatest assets is the unparalleled availability of secure, federally managed land. With approximately 890 square miles at the INL Site, Idaho can support large-scale nuclear infrastructure development on DOE managed land. This offers the rare combination of space, safety, and regulatory stability required for complex nuclear lifecycle activities; from fuel cycle research to pilot scale facilities to commercial demonstration projects."

However, concerns about long-term storage remain. An estimated 90,000 tons of nuclear waste are currently stored at more than 100 sites in 39 states in a variety of structures and containers.

As the Institute for Environmental Research and Education notes: "While dry casks are designed to prevent leakage, there are concerns about potential environmental risks associated with long-term on-site storage, including the possibility of corrosion, degradation of the containers over time and the potential for accidental releases. Careful monitoring and maintenance are essential to mitigate these risks."

We agree.

A Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus could provide substantial economic and energy benefits for Idaho, which is why the state is right to explore the opportunity.

But Idaho must do so carefully, with protecting its environment, water resources and citizens as the top priority.