Nuclear waste storage rules now allow new loading patterns and materials

US nuclear regulators are updating the rules for storing spent nuclear fuel. This change allows new ways to load waste into storage casks and permits different materials for the casks themselves.

For decades, the rules for storing spent nuclear fuel were very specific about how waste had to be loaded and what materials could be used. This meant that any new technology or method had to go through a long, expensive approval process. This update means companies can now use more flexible loading patterns and different materials, which could make storage cheaper or more efficient. It also means regulators are open to new approaches for managing nuclear waste.