[ RadSafe ] Blue Ribbon Commission on America's Nuclear Future

[Jaro Franta]

Interesting anouncement......

 

http://www.energy.gov/news/8584.htm 

January 29, 2010

Secretary Chu Announces Blue Ribbon Commission on America's Nuclear Future 

<SNIP>

 

.......which includes a list of Commission members.

 

As one commentator noted, the names on the list are as significant as the
names NOT on it:

 

<quote>

......having no sodium-fast-breeder guys on this commission is really
significant.... This may be the biggest thing to ever happen to the
prospects for thorium and the liquid-fluoride reactor. The DOE's announced
their commision, and Per [Peterson is] on it. ...... Per [Peterson] is a
huge supporter of fluoride reactors and he understands their inherent
advantages over LWRs and IFRs.

<end quote>

(for more see http://www.energyfromthorium.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=63
<http://www.energyfromthorium.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=63&t=2148> &t=2148 )

 

 

The scope of the Commission is outlined in President Obama's memo:

 

 

Presidential Memorandum on the Blue Ribbon Commission (pdf - 10k)

http://www.energy.gov/news/documents/2010nuclearfuture_memo.pdf 

 

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release January 29, 2010

January 29, 2010

MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF ENERGY

SUBJECT: Blue Ribbon Commission on America's Nuclear Future

 

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The Commission should conduct 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. This review should include an evaluation of
advanced fuel cycle technologies that would optimize energy recovery,
resource utilization, and the minimization of materials derived from nuclear
activities in a manner consistent with U.S. nonproliferation goals.

.....

In performing its functions, the Commission should consider a broad range of
technological and policy alternatives, and should analyze the scientific,
environmental, budgetary, economic, financial, and management issues, among
others, surrounding each alternative it considers. Where appropriate, the
Commission may also identify potential statutory changes.

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