The U.S. possesses more than half of the world’s nuclear plant decommissioning experience. Although decommissioning has traditionally been viewed in a negative light, it is increasingly being perceived as a part of the natural life cycle of commercial units. Demonstration of efficient and cost-effective decommissioning boosts public confidence in nuclear and opens the door for more innovative technologies. In the U.S., there are several areas that can be improved with respect to decommissioning, including the regulatory transition between operating to decommissioning, optimization of resource utilization, innovation in decommissioning business models, and minimization of spent-fuel impacts. If these issues can be addressed, the U.S. can better leverage its experience in serving overseas markets—significant business opportunities exist on the horizon as over half of the world’s currently operating reactors are over thirty years old.
