Nuclear Waste Administration Act of 2024

This bill, the Nuclear Waste Administration Act of 2024, establishes a new independent agency called the Nuclear Waste Administration to manage nuclear waste, creates a consent-based process for siting waste facilities, and ensures funding for the program. It transfers responsibilities from the Secretary of Energy to the new Administrator.

Title I, Findings, Purposes, and Definitions: This title outlines Congress's findings that the federal government is responsible for nuclear waste disposal and that the Yucca Mountain site was designated in 1987. The purposes are to establish a new waste management organization, transfer functions from the Secretary of Energy, create a consensual siting process, provide for storage facilities, and ensure generators pay full costs. It defines key terms like 'Administration' and 'Administrator' and clarifies that 'nuclear waste' includes high-level waste and spent fuel, but spent fuel is not classified as waste under other laws.

Title II, Nuclear Waste Administration: This title establishes the Nuclear Waste Administration as an independent agency. It creates a Nuclear Waste Administrator appointed by the President for a 6-year term, along with other officers like a General Counsel and Chief Financial Officer. It also establishes an Inspector General and a Nuclear Waste Oversight Board to oversee funds and performance. Conforming amendments update other laws to include the new Administration.

Title III, Functions: This title transfers all functions related to nuclear waste disposal from the Secretary of Energy to the Administrator, including contracts. The Administrator must site, construct, and operate storage facilities and repositories using a consent-based process that allows communities to decide whether to host facilities. It requires updated environmental standards and licensing by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Defense waste disposal is covered by a memorandum of agreement, and the Administrator is responsible for transporting nuclear waste in certified packages.

Title IV, Funding and Legal Proceedings: This title establishes a Working Capital Fund for fees and appropriations, separate from the existing Nuclear Waste Fund. It requires full cost recovery from waste generators and sets rules for judicial review in courts of appeals. The Attorney General supervises litigation, and pending lawsuits against the Secretary are transferred to the Administrator. The Attorney General must seek to settle breach-of-contract claims.

Title V, Administrative and Savings Provisions: This title gives the Administrator powers to enter contracts and hire personnel. The principal office is in or near Washington, D.C. The Administrator must prepare a mission plan with milestones, including operating a storage facility by December 31, 2034, and submit annual reports. The bill does not affect pending proceedings for Yucca Mountain but prohibits proceeding there except under the consent-based process. It also updates the Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board and removes volume limitations on repositories if consent agreements allow more.