ABSTRACT
Spent power-reactor fuel contains both the highly radioactive wastes from operation and the plutonium produced. Because of the plutonium, states are generally unwilling to dispose of spent fuel as waste. Interim or long-term storage is therefore being considered as an alternative to immediate reprocessing and separation of the plutonium. Technology for spent fuel storage is relatively straightforward, and national debate over whether and how it should be stored revolves on the political and environmental desirability of the alternatives. Internationalization is being discussed as an element of current non-proliferation strategies. However, it is not clear whether any major effort is required other than a series of bilateral or multilateral arrangements to deter national seizure or diversion. In fact, waste management considerations may dominate such arrangements as are arrived at.
