Oak Ridge among 11 possible sites for nuclear recycling

OAK RIDGE, Tenn. The Department of Energy announced that Oak Ridge is one of eleven sites across the country that will be studied for a recycling center for spent nuclear fuel.

U-S Representative Zach Wamp, a Tennessee Republican who represents Oak Ridge, said it is an exciting opportunity for East Tennessee to be involved in providing safer, cheaper energy.

The facility would include a nuclear fuel treatment center and-or an advanced burner reactor. The center would separate and fabricate useable fuel and the reactor would burn it to produce energy.

The D-O-E awarded grants yesterday for 90-day studies at the eleven sites that would consider nearby land uses, animal habitat, weather, historical resources and regulatory requirements.