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Wright says spent fuel contains usable energy and isotopes; administration will reverse reprocessing limits
Summary
Secretary Wright said spent nuclear fuel holds valuable energy and isotopes and signaled a federal reversal of past constraints on reprocessing to recover fuel and medical isotopes, while stressing the need for local buy‑in for storage and reuse.
Secretary Chris Wright told the audience spent nuclear fuel is not simply waste but a resource that can be reprocessed to extract usable fuel and medical isotopes. He argued past U.S. rules limiting reprocessing were "stupid" and said the administration is reversing them to support fuel fabrication and isotope production domestically.
Wright also acknowledged public concern about long‑term disposal and said the federal government has not delivered on earlier promises under the Atomic Energy Act. He emphasized the importance of local consent for siting and said the administration is focused on voluntary state participation rather than imposing facilities on communities.
