BACKGROUND INFORMATION FOR THE EESI CONGRESSIONAL BRIEFING: TOWARDS AN EVIDENCE-BASED NUCLEAR ENERGY POLICY

This briefing by the Decommissioning Working Group argues that U.S. nuclear energy policy is not evidence-based and that the NRC is captured by industry interests. It highlights critical gaps in the management of decommissioning trust funds, the safety of spent fuel storage canisters, and the lack of safety standards for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), recommending a shift toward science-based standards and increased Congressional oversight.

• The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is accused of being 'captured' by the industry it regulates, frequently dismissing public safety petitions as 'not credible' while routinely granting industry requests for regulatory relief and exemptions.
• There are significant financial risks and a lack of transparency regarding Decommissioning Trust Funds (DTFs). Independent analysis by the Callan Institute in 2019 found a 30% shortfall, with projected costs at $96 billion against $68 billion in funds. Furthermore, decommissioning companies may 'double-dip' by using DTFs for spent fuel management while also suing the Department of Energy (DOE) for the same costs.

APA

Environmental and Energy Study Institute (2021). BACKGROUND INFORMATION FOR THE EESI CONGRESSIONAL BRIEFING: TOWARDS AN EVIDENCE-BASED NUCLEAR ENERGY POLICY. https://www.eesi.org/files/EESI_2021_backgrounder_final.pdf

Chicago

Environmental and Energy Study Institute. BACKGROUND INFORMATION FOR THE EESI CONGRESSIONAL BRIEFING: TOWARDS AN EVIDENCE-BASED NUCLEAR ENERGY POLICY. 2021. https://www.eesi.org/files/EESI_2021_backgrounder_final.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Environmental and Energy Study Institute |title=BACKGROUND INFORMATION FOR THE EESI CONGRESSIONAL BRIEFING: TOWARDS AN EVIDENCE-BASED NUCLEAR ENERGY POLICY |date=30 March 2021 |url=https://www.eesi.org/files/EESI_2021_backgrounder_final.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{environmentalandenergystudyinstitute2021background, author = {{Environmental and Energy Study Institute}}, title = {{BACKGROUND INFORMATION FOR THE EESI CONGRESSIONAL BRIEFING: TOWARDS AN EVIDENCE-BASED NUCLEAR ENERGY POLICY}}, institution = {Environmental and Energy Study Institute}, year = {2021}, month = mar, url = {https://www.eesi.org/files/EESI_2021_backgrounder_final.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }