Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) is in the process of drafting legislation intended to alleviate concerns regarding nuclear waste. The legislation would require DOE to develop standards for nuclear reactors to use thorium fuel rather than uranium. Thorium is a different type of nuclear fuel, used in place of uranium that has three benefits: no nuclear weapons-grade fuel is created from spent fuel, the amount of nuclear waste is reduced and the fuel improves industry operating economics.
Nuclear industry experts expect there to be an expansion in nuclear power in response to increased concerns about global warming and energy security. Nuclear opponents argue that concerns about nuclear waste disposal, as well as issues regarding nuclear weapons proliferation should decrease federal support for new reactors.
An aide to Sen. Hatch said that the senator's bill will reach a compromise between those who are opposed to the transport of nuclear waste and proponents of nuclear energy, generally. The former group includes prominent senators as Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV).
Proponents of the Hatch proposal argue that the thorium fuel cycle produces one third the waste that uranium does, which could help allay concerns about disposal and proliferation of materials.
The Thorium Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 will be introduced in the coming weeks. The legislation is expected to be offered in time for consideration in upcoming energy bill negotiations, although with that bill already surrounded by controversy; its inclusion does not seem likely.