• The DOE is using a consent-based approach to find sites to store spent nuclear fuel.
• Communities can participate in a process with various steps and phases to determine whether hosting a spent fuel spot is viable for them.
• The DOE is not currently taking any volunteer communities as a part of the first step of their funding opportunity.

The DOE has been working on finding sites to store and dispose of used fuel (spent fuel). Since 2017, they have been working on a consent-based approach. They have issued a request for information on using the consent-based approach, and released an updated version of the 2017 version earlier this year. 

The focus of the consent-based approach is to gain approval from those who are concerned. There is a process that communities can participate in. This process has various steps and phases to help the communities determine whether hosting a spent fuel spot will be viable for them and their goals.

The DOE is not currently taking any volunteer communities as a part of the first step of their funding opportunity. 

This effort will allow the DOE to find places to put spent fuel which will allow for the growth of nuclear energy in the country with more production since there would be more storage for the spent fuel.