The Draft EIS, prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), analyzes potential impacts of the VTR alternatives and options for reactor fuel production on various environmental and community resources. The EIS evaluates:
Construction and operation of the VTR at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) or the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). This includes operating and performing experiments in the VTR, post-irradiation examination of irradiated test specimens in hot cell facilities, and spent fuel conditioning and storage pending shipment for interim or permanent disposal.
Production of fuel for the VTR at the Idaho National Laboratory and/or the Savannah River Site (SRS) including preparing feedstock for the fuel, fabricating fuel pins, and assembling the fuel pins into reactor fuel.
A no-action alternative under which DOE would not pursue the construction and operation of a VTR.
The Draft EIS identifies the construction and operation of the VTR at the INL Site as DOE's Preferred Alternative. To the extent possible, existing facilities (modified as necessary) would be used for the VTR support facilities.
“DOE is committed to designing and operating the VTR in a way that protects the environment and nearby communities,” said Dr. Rita Baranwal, Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy. “The VTR will help ensure that DOE and our industry partners can develop innovative nuclear technologies to supply the United States, and the world, with abundant carbon-free energy.”
The public is now encouraged to comment on the DRAFT EIS. The public comment period on the Draft EIS will conclude 45 days after the date that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) publishes its Notice of Availability in the Federal Register (expected to be December 31, 2020). DOE plans to hold two public hearings on the Draft VTR EIS. In light of ongoing public health concerns, DOE will host internet-based, virtual public hearings in place of in-person hearings. The dates of the hearing will be provided in a future notice posted on the DOE's Office of Nuclear Energy website. DOE will hold the hearings no earlier than 15 days from the posting of the notice.
DOE’s Office of Nuclear Energy established the VTR program in 2018 in response to the Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act (NEICA). NEICA directs DOE to assess the mission need for and cost of a versatile reactor-based fast-neutron source with high neutron flux, irradiation flexibility, multiple experimental environment capabilities, and volume for many concurrent users.
DOE approved the mission need for VTR in February 2019 and approved Critical Decision 1 in September 2020. Critical Decision 1 is the second step in the formal process DOE uses to review and manage research infrastructure projects. The Department will make a final decision regarding VTR following the completion of the EIS and Record of Decision, which is expected in late 2021.
