Orano and Waste Control Specialists Announce Planned Joint Venture to Resume Licensing Activities for Consolidated Interim Storage Facility

Washington, D.C., and Andrews, Texas – March 13, 2018 – Orano USA and Waste Control Specialists, leaders in nuclear materials management, today announced their intent to form a joint venture to license a consolidated interim storage facility (CISF) for used nuclear fuel at the WCS site in Andrews County, Texas.

The joint venture will request that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission resume its review of the CISF license application originally submitted April 2016 and docketed by the NRC for review in January 2017 (Docket No. 72-1050).

The joint venture combines the strengths of Orano’s decades of expertise in used nuclear fuel packaging, storage and transportation with WCS’ experience operating a unique facility serving both the commercial nuclear industry and the U.S. Department of Energy.

Sam Shakir, CEO of Orano USA stated, “The joint venture will provide safety, flexibility and value for used nuclear fuel titleholders and reduce U.S. taxpayer liabilities for ongoing storage, while plans for a permanent federal repository continue. Currently, used nuclear fuel is stored at more than 70 active and decommissioned nuclear reactor facilities in 34 states across the country, awaiting the development of a permanent geologic repository.”

Scott State, CEO of WCS stated, “This industry-driven near-term solution will use proven storage technology and procedures to expand the capabilities and operations at the WCS site to include consolidated interim storage of commercial used nuclear fuel.”