This report, “Consent-Based Siting for Nuclear Waste Facilities”, by the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) is a policy report from a nonpartisan think tank, not a government agency. It summarizes research, stakeholder input, and policy discussions on how the United States might identify locations for interim storage or permanent disposal of nuclear waste using a “consent-based” approach.
The report draws on interviews, site visits, surveys of state officials and community stakeholders, and reviews of past federal efforts and ongoing legislative proposals.
What it does legally:
This document is not a law, regulation, or federal decision, and it has no binding legal authority. Instead, it functions as a policy recommendation and advisory report:
- It outlines proposed frameworks for how federal agencies could implement a consent-based siting process.
- It analyzes existing legal structures, including the Nuclear Waste Policy Act, and identifies where changes or new legislation may be needed.
- It offers recommendations to Congress and federal agencies on how to structure agreements with states, tribes, and communities.
- It contributes to the broader policy and administrative record that can influence future legislation, agency guidance, and regulatory decisions.
Because it reflects bipartisan input and stakeholder perspectives, it is often used to inform federal strategy and legislative proposals, even though it does not itself authorize any action.
