Blue Ribbon Commission on America's Nuclear Future
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release January 29, 2010
January 29, 2010
MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF ENERGY
SUBJECT: Blue Ribbon Commission on America's Nuclear Future
Expanding our Nation's capacity to generate clean nuclear
energy is crucial to our ability to combat climate change,
enhance energy security, and increase economic prosperity. My
Administration is undertaking substantial steps to expand the
safe, secure, and responsible use of nuclear energy. These
efforts are critical to accomplishing many of my Administration's
most significant goals.
An important part of a sound, comprehensive, and long-term
domestic nuclear energy strategy is a well-considered policy for
managing used nuclear fuel and other aspects of the back end of
the nuclear fuel cycle. Yet the Nation's approach, developed
more than 20 years ago, to managing materials derived from
nuclear activities, including nuclear fuel and nuclear waste,
has not proven effective. Fortunately, over the past two decades
scientists and engineers in our country and abroad have learned
a great deal about effective strategies for managing nuclear
material. My Administration is committed to using this advanced
knowledge to meet the Government's obligation to dispose of our
Nation's used nuclear material.
Accordingly, I request that you establish a Blue Ribbon
Commission on America's Nuclear Future (Commission) and
appoint its members. Those members should include recognized
representatives and experts from a range of disciplines and
with a range of perspectives, and may include participation of
appropriate Federal officials. The Commission's business should
be conducted in an open and transparent manner.
The Commission should conduct a comprehensive review of
policies for managing the back end of the nuclear fuel cycle,
including all alternatives for the storage, processing, and
disposal of civilian and defense used nuclear fuel and nuclear
waste. This review should include an evaluation of advanced
fuel cycle technologies that would optimize energy recovery,
resource utilization, and the minimization of materials
derived from nuclear activities in a manner consistent with
U.S. nonproliferation goals.
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In performing its functions, the Commission should consider a
broad range of technological and policy alternatives, and should
analyze the scientific, environmental, budgetary, economic,
financial, and management issues, among others, surrounding each
alternative it considers. Where appropriate, the Commission may
also identify potential statutory changes.
The Commission should provide an interim report to you within
18 months of the date of this memorandum, and that report should
be made available for public comment. The Commission should
provide a final report to you within 24 months of the date of
this memorandum. The Department of Energy shall provide funding
and administrative support for the Commission, as you determine
appropriate, so that it can complete its functions within these
time periods. Additionally, all executive departments and
agencies shall provide such information and assistance to the
Commission as you or the Commission may request for purposes of
carrying out the Commission's functions, to the extent permitted
by law. Nothing in this memorandum shall be construed to require
the disclosure of classified, proprietary, law enforcement
sensitive, or other information protected under governing law.
This memorandum shall be implemented consistent with applicable
law and subject to the availability of appropriations. This
memorandum is not intended to, and does not, create any right
or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in
equity by any party against the United States, its departments,
agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any
other person.
You are hereby authorized and directed to publish this memorandum
in the Federal Register.
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release January 29, 2010
January 29, 2010
MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF ENERGY
SUBJECT: Blue Ribbon Commission on America's Nuclear Future
Expanding our Nation's capacity to generate clean nuclear
energy is crucial to our ability to combat climate change,
enhance energy security, and increase economic prosperity. My
Administration is undertaking substantial steps to expand the
safe, secure, and responsible use of nuclear energy. These
efforts are critical to accomplishing many of my Administration's
most significant goals.
An important part of a sound, comprehensive, and long-term
domestic nuclear energy strategy is a well-considered policy for
managing used nuclear fuel and other aspects of the back end of
the nuclear fuel cycle. Yet the Nation's approach, developed
more than 20 years ago, to managing materials derived from
nuclear activities, including nuclear fuel and nuclear waste,
has not proven effective. Fortunately, over the past two decades
scientists and engineers in our country and abroad have learned
a great deal about effective strategies for managing nuclear
material. My Administration is committed to using this advanced
knowledge to meet the Government's obligation to dispose of our
Nation's used nuclear material.
Accordingly, I request that you establish a Blue Ribbon
Commission on America's Nuclear Future (Commission) and
appoint its members. Those members should include recognized
representatives and experts from a range of disciplines and
with a range of perspectives, and may include participation of
appropriate Federal officials. The Commission's business should
be conducted in an open and transparent manner.
The Commission should conduct a comprehensive review of
policies for managing the back end of the nuclear fuel cycle,
including all alternatives for the storage, processing, and
disposal of civilian and defense used nuclear fuel and nuclear
waste. This review should include an evaluation of advanced
fuel cycle technologies that would optimize energy recovery,
resource utilization, and the minimization of materials
derived from nuclear activities in a manner consistent with
U.S. nonproliferation goals.
more
(OVER)
2
In performing its functions, the Commission should consider a
broad range of technological and policy alternatives, and should
analyze the scientific, environmental, budgetary, economic,
financial, and management issues, among others, surrounding each
alternative it considers. Where appropriate, the Commission may
also identify potential statutory changes.
The Commission should provide an interim report to you within
18 months of the date of this memorandum, and that report should
be made available for public comment. The Commission should
provide a final report to you within 24 months of the date of
this memorandum. The Department of Energy shall provide funding
and administrative support for the Commission, as you determine
appropriate, so that it can complete its functions within these
time periods. Additionally, all executive departments and
agencies shall provide such information and assistance to the
Commission as you or the Commission may request for purposes of
carrying out the Commission's functions, to the extent permitted
by law. Nothing in this memorandum shall be construed to require
the disclosure of classified, proprietary, law enforcement
sensitive, or other information protected under governing law.
This memorandum shall be implemented consistent with applicable
law and subject to the availability of appropriations. This
memorandum is not intended to, and does not, create any right
or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in
equity by any party against the United States, its departments,
agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any
other person.
You are hereby authorized and directed to publish this memorandum
in the Federal Register.