Nuclear Waste
Many people are concerned about what is done with the spent fuel from nuclear energy. As research goes on, methods of storing and making it more safe are being developed. A popular recent method used for waste storage is dry cast storage. It involves putting the used fuel into canisters that prevent the materials from escaping into the environment. This canister is then placed inside a protective "cast" which allows it to be able to withstand the elements and any potential damage. There are facilities located throughout the U.S. that provide these "casts" a safe home, one being Indian Point, New York (http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/fact-sheets/dry-cask-storage.html). This method of storage has become more and more popular due to the fact that the "waste" can be easily transported. Before this method, the "waste" had to be kept in storage pools that were located within the power plant.
Researchers are also working on developing a way to use the spent fuel, so that nothing is wasted in the process of generating nuclear power. There is also the possibility of being able to find a way to reduce the amount of waste or even get rid of the waste completely. The waste is radioactive and dangerous but the methods we use in our power plants today make sure that it is properly handled and "disposed of". (Quotations due to the fact that it is not actually disposed of, however, it is taken out of harms way.)(6)
Researchers are also working on developing a way to use the spent fuel, so that nothing is wasted in the process of generating nuclear power. There is also the possibility of being able to find a way to reduce the amount of waste or even get rid of the waste completely. The waste is radioactive and dangerous but the methods we use in our power plants today make sure that it is properly handled and "disposed of". (Quotations due to the fact that it is not actually disposed of, however, it is taken out of harms way.)(6)
