The Blue Ribbon Commission filed their charter with Congress the week before WM2010 and conducted a comprehensive review of policies for managing the back end of the nuclear fuel cycle, including all alternatives for the storage, processing, and disposal of civilian and defense used nuclear fuel and nuclear waste.  During WM2012 a Topical Workshop was held addressing the Blue Ribbon Commission Report which included seven high profile panelists involved with the Report and its recommendations.

By WM2013, it was approximately one year since the President’s Blue Ribbon Commission issued its report containing a number of recommendations to address the facility siting, storage and disposal of spent nuclear fuel. While the BRC recommended creation of a Federal Corporation to be responsible, the US DOE is still the primary US Federal Agency implementing the recommendations.

During the past year, DOE responded with its own plans and this workshop provided a forum to discuss America’s path forward. There have also been a number of key actions taking place outside of the US in addressing the same issues. The session provided the current status of those various worldwide activities and consisted of both US and non-US representatives, followed by an evening reception. 

Panelists included: Peter B. Lyons, Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy, US DOE; Everett Redmond, Senior Director, Nonproliferation and Fuel Cycle Policy, NEI; Keith I. McConnell, Director, Waste Confidence Directorate, US NRC; David Martin, Cabinet Secretary, New Mexico Environment Department; Francis "Chip" Cameron, President, The Zero Gravity Group, LLC; Magnus Vesterlind, Head, IAEA Waste and Environmental Section (Austria); Risto Paltemaa, Director, Nuclear Waste and Material Regulation, Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (Finland); Olle Olsson, Vice President, Strategy and Programme, SKB (Sweden).