What GAO Found The Department of Energy (DOE) faces two challenges affecting Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) operations in the near term. First, the National Nuclear Security Administration’s (NNSA) Office of Naval Reactors (Naval Reactors) is finding it increasingly difficult to meet testing requirements due to the age of the ATR, according to Naval Reactors officials. Second, Idaho National Laboratory’s spent fuel management facility that stores ATR spent fuel is nearing capacity. However, while DOE is working to fund the facility reconfiguration, DOE has not yet completed its evaluation of its Idaho Operations Office’s plan to reconfigure the facility to store spent fuel beyond 2030 when the facility will reach capacity. If DOE continues to delay approval of a reconfiguration plan to enable continued storage of ATR spent fuel after 2030, it risks a suspension of ATR operations, which provides vital testing capability that supports the Navy’s nuclear-powered fleet of submarines and aircraft carriers. Apart from the fuel storage issue, between June 2019 to March 2022 DOE identified three project options—through its Thermal Test Reactor Capability (TTRC) project—to maintain, modify, or replace the ATR and ensure an enduring thermal test reactor capability to meet the Navy’s and other users’ requirements through…
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Department of Energy: Action Needed to Approve Advanced Test Reactor Spent Fuel Plan
Source: US GAO Reports — US Government, Public Domain