Nuclear fuel storage gets new cask designs, higher capacity, and fewer rules

US nuclear regulators are updating the rules for storing spent nuclear fuel. This change allows new cask designs and increases the amount of fuel that can be stored in existing systems.

Storing spent nuclear fuel is a major bottleneck for nuclear power. This update makes it easier and potentially cheaper to store more fuel. It also removes a penalty for certain types of fuel, which could make those fuels more attractive to use.