Interim Storage Partners

Interim Storage Partners
Name	Interim Storage Partners
Industry	Radioactive waste management
Founded	2016
Location	Andrews, Texas, United States
Key people	Jeffrey M. Isakson (CEO)
Parent	Orano USA, Waste Control Specialists
Website	https://www.interimstoragepartners.com/

Interim Storage Partners is a joint venture formed to develop and operate a centralized interim storage facility for spent nuclear fuel and other high-level radioactive waste in the United States. The company's primary project is the Interim Storage Facility (ISP) located in Andrews County, Texas, on a site adjacent to the existing Waste Control Specialists low-level waste disposal facility. The venture represents a significant private-sector initiative to address the long-standing challenge of managing the nation's commercial spent nuclear fuel in the absence of a permanent geological repository.

History and Formation

The venture was established in 2016 as a strategic partnership between Orano USA, a subsidiary of the French nuclear fuel cycle company Orano, and Waste Control Specialists, a Texas-based operator of radioactive waste disposal facilities. This collaboration combined Orano's extensive international experience in spent fuel management and recycling with Waste Control Specialists' licensed site infrastructure and local operational expertise. The formation was driven by the ongoing impasse over the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository in Nevada, which prompted industry and regulatory exploration of alternative storage solutions. The project site in Andrews County was selected due to its favorable geology, existing regulatory footprint, and local community support, building upon the precedent set by the privately developed Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in New Mexico.

Facility and Operations

The proposed Interim Storage Facility (ISP) is designed as a consolidated interim storage facility where spent nuclear fuel assemblies from commercial nuclear power plants across the country would be stored in robust, passively cooled dry cask storage systems. The facility plans to utilize advanced storage casks, similar to those already deployed at reactor sites under licenses from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Operations would involve receiving rail shipments of sealed casks, transferring them to a designated storage pad, and monitoring them for safety and security. The design incorporates multiple engineered barriers and is intended to be expandable, with an initial license application seeking authorization to store up to 5,000 metric tons of heavy metal, with potential future expansion to 40,000 metric tons.

Regulatory Framework and Licensing

The venture is pursuing a license for the facility through the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's rigorous process under Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 72. In September 2021, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued a license to the company, marking the first license issued for a facility of this kind for commercial spent fuel. This decision was subsequently challenged by the State of Texas and other parties, leading to a review by the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. The licensing process involves detailed review of safety, security, and environmental reports, including assessments of potential impacts on the Ogallala Aquifer and compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act.

Partnerships and Corporate Structure

The joint venture is owned equally by its two parent companies, Orano USA and Waste Control Specialists. Orano brings global expertise from operating facilities like the La Hague site in France, while Waste Control Specialists provides critical local infrastructure and waste management licenses. The venture works closely with potential utility customers, such as Pacific Gas and Electric Company and Arizona Public Service, which have expressed interest in moving fuel from decommissioned plants like Diablo Canyon Power Plant and Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station. The corporate structure is designed to leverage this combined technical and logistical expertise to offer a service to the United States Department of Energy and nuclear utilities.

Economic and Community Impact

The project has been presented as a significant economic development opportunity for Andrews County and the broader Permian Basin region. Projections include the creation of numerous high-skilled jobs during construction and operations, along with substantial increases to the local tax base. The venture has entered into agreements with local entities, including the Andrews County Commissioners Court and the Andrews Economic Development Corporation, outlining financial benefits and local hiring preferences. Support from local officials contrasts with opposition from the State of Texas, highlighting a complex dynamic between local economic interests and state-level policy concerns.

Safety and Environmental Considerations

Safety case for the facility centers on the demonstrated performance of dry cask storage technology, which is already used securely at dozens of reactor sites across the United States. The design emphasizes passive safety features to manage decay heat and ensure containment without the need for active mechanical systems. Environmental reviews conducted for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission license evaluated potential impacts from normal operations and hypothetical accidents, including those related to transportation. The site's arid climate and deep geology are considered favorable for limiting environmental interaction. The venture's plans include robust security measures coordinated with local agencies like the Andrews County Sheriff's Office and adherence to strict Nuclear Regulatory Commission regulations.

Category:Radioactive waste management companies of the United States Category:Companies based in Texas Category:Nuclear power in the United States