Latest news with #DeepIsolation
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Deep Isolation Welcomes Presidential Action to Reinvigorate U.S. Nuclear Waste Disposal Program
BERKELEY, Calif., May 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Deep Isolation, a leading innovator in nuclear waste disposal technology, applauds the suite of executive orders signed by President Donald J. Trump on May 23, 2025, which prioritize revitalizing the nuclear industrial base, accelerating the deployment of advanced reactors, and advancing spent nuclear fuel (SNF) and high-level radioactive waste (HLW) disposal. The executive orders represent a historic federal commitment to unlocking the full potential of nuclear energy, including a clear directive to develop a national policy for managing SNF and evaluating recycling and reprocessing pathways. They task the Secretary of Energy, in coordination with other federal agencies, to recommend near-term actions for SNF disposal and to strengthen the domestic nuclear fuel cycle. These actions signal a shift toward enabling permanent solutions for America's growing inventory of nuclear waste. 'For decades, America's inability to dispose of its nuclear waste has remained an unresolved challenge,' stated Rod Baltzer, CEO of Deep Isolation. 'We welcome the administration's commitment to resolving it. A credible, near-term pathway for permanent disposal is essential, and Deep Isolation ꟷ together with its U.S.-based supply chain partners ꟷ is ready to contribute to this national priority.' Despite over 40 years since the passage of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act (NWPA), the U.S. still lacks an operational geologic repository for SNF. Today, over 92,500 metric tons of SNF remain in temporary storage at more than 70 sites across 35 states, a backlog that continues to grow by approximately 2,000 metric tons each year. More than 27 years overdue, the federal government has still not begun accepting commercial SNF for disposal, with significant financial consequences: $50.4 billion in the Nuclear Waste Fund (NWF) from utility ratepayers remains largely unused. $2 million per day in taxpayer liabilities ꟷ totaling $11.1 billion as of 2024 ꟷ has been paid in legal judgments due to the Department of Energy's failure to meet its obligations under the NWPA. The estimated future liability for failure to dispose of the waste is at least $37.6 billion as of 2024. Deep Borehole Disposal: A Viable, Near-Term Solution Deep borehole disposal (DBD), once confined to laboratory analysis, is now a commercial reality. Thanks to sustained private investment and strategic partnerships, Deep Isolation has advanced this solution from a theoretical concept to a mature system ready to begin the licensing process. The company's patented solution for directionally-drilled deep borehole repositories combines innovation from the U.S. oil, gas and nuclear sectors to provide disposal solutions for long-term nuclear safety. Key enablers include: A robust U.S.-based supply chain comprised of leading firms. The Deep Borehole Demonstration Center in Texas, a public-private nonprofit launched in 2023 to conduct full-scale demonstrations. A licensing-ready system, optimized through Deep Isolation's Universal Canister System (UCS) co-developed with DOE and industry partners. Strategic Partnerships with Recycling Leaders 'Deep Isolation is proud to collaborate with U.S. leaders in reprocessing and advanced reactor fuel cycles,' said Chris Parker, Chief Commercialization Officer at Deep Isolation. 'We welcome the administration's determination to accelerate the implementation of these exciting technologies.' Deep Isolation's existing partnerships with leaders in this sector such as Curio, Oklo and SHINE underscore the administration's recognition that, even after recycling, residual high-level waste remains ꟷ and still requires a disposal solution. Policy Alignment and a Path Forward The new executive orders direct the DOE to bring forward national policies on SNF and HLW management, evaluate private-sector reprocessing options, and identify disposal pathways. They acknowledge what experts, communities and industry leaders have long recognized: permanent disposal is essential, and flexibility in both technology and siting is key. Deep Isolation strongly supports: The launch of a national program for disposal, building on the momentum created by these executive orders and their commitment to public-private partnerships to advance recycling, reprocessing, and disposal capabilities. The emphasis on use of DOE sites as an accelerator for new reactor deployment, which we believe can also valuably be applied to demonstrate disposal technologies. A single deep borehole demonstration at a National Laboratory site, for example, could both establish U.S. first mover advantage in a potential $600 billion global market and permanently dispose of a DOE-owned waste stream. The reform of the NRC to enable faster decision-making while upholding the agency's reputation for scientific rigor, transparency, and highest levels of safety. Deep Isolation's own safety assessments demonstrate that its repository designs, which can be constructed in under two years, significantly exceed the NRC safety standards established for Yucca Mountain, underscoring that speed and safety can and must go hand in hand. 'Recycling can reduce nuclear waste volumes, but only disposal ensures it is safely isolated from people and the environment,' said Baltzer. 'That's why we are investing in permanent, deep geologic solutions. The Executive Orders mark a turning point for American innovation, science, and leadership. We have the tools and the technologies and, with these Executive Orders, we now have the political commitment to act. What we need next is execution. Deep Isolation, together with our supply chain partners, is ideally placed to turn this into reality, and we look forward to collaborating with the Department of Energy to put into practice the exciting vision that the President has set out.' Read the full executive order: Reinvigorating the nuclear industrial base About Deep Isolation Named as one of Goldman Sachs' Top 30 Startups in carbon capture, hydrogen power, and nuclear energy, Deep Isolation is the first company commercializing nuclear waste disposal in deep boreholes. It offers a uniquely tailored solution to help countries complete the necessary steps to dispose of their waste inventories. With 87 patents issued to date, it leverages proven drilling practices to safely isolate waste deep underground in horizontal, vertical, or slanted borehole repositories. Deep Isolation's Universal Canister System (UCS) was developed through a three-year project funded by the U.S. Department of Energy's Advanced Research Projects Agency–Energy (ARPA-E), and is engineered to support integrated management of spent fuel and high-level waste from advanced reactors across storage, transportation and eventual disposal. Details of Deep Isolation's existing partnerships with US nuclear recycling companies are set out in earlier announcements on the company's website: SHINE Technologies, Curio Legacy Ventures and Oklo Inc. For more information, visit media inquiries, please contact: media@ in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Deep Isolation Nuclear Disposal Company CEO to Appear Live on Bloomberg Businessweek on May 23 at 3:20 p.m. ET
BERKELEY, Calif., May 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Deep Isolation, a leading innovator in nuclear waste disposal technology, announced today that CEO Rod Baltzer will appear live on Bloomberg Businessweek this Friday, May 23 at 3:20 p.m. ET. The interview will be broadcast nationally via Bloomberg Radio and simulcast on Bloomberg's YouTube channel. Tune in live on Bloomberg Radio or watch the simulcast interview on YouTube to hear Baltzer discuss how Deep Isolation's technology works, why it matters, the company's future plans, and the growing role of nuclear waste solutions amid rising public and private interest in nuclear energy. The segment will spotlight Deep Isolation's patented deep borehole disposal technology — a safe, cost-effective, and scalable solution for the permanent disposal of high-level radioactive waste. As nuclear energy gains momentum in the global transition to clean power, solving the back end of the fuel cycle has become more urgent than ever. Deep Isolation's technology leverages proven directional drilling techniques and a strong IP portfolio to deliver up to 70% cost savings compared to traditional mined repositories, while significantly improving safety and reducing environmental impact. 'As the U.S. and other nations accelerate the deployment of advanced reactors, solving the waste challenge is essential to realizing nuclear's full potential,' said Baltzer. 'I'm excited to share how Deep Isolation is enabling this future and what's ahead for us as we move toward commercialization.' About Deep IsolationNamed as one of Goldman Sachs' Top 30 Startups in carbon capture, hydrogen power, and nuclear energy, Deep Isolation is the first company commercializing nuclear waste disposal in deep boreholes. It offers a uniquely tailored solution to help countries complete the necessary steps to dispose of their waste inventories. With 87 patents issued to date, it leverages proven drilling practices to safely isolate waste deep underground in horizontal, vertical, or slanted borehole repositories. For more information, visit media inquiries, please contact: media@
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Miliband explores cut-price clean-up of Britain's deadliest nuclear waste
Ed Miliband is backing a cut-price clean-up of the UK's growing nuclear waste mountain. The Energy Secretary's plans involve highly radioactive used fuel rods being dropped into holes drilled deep into the Earth's crust. The experimental approach, pioneered by Deep Isolation, an American company, is being funded by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (Desnz), which is helping develop the toughened canisters needed to contain the deadly waste. If it works, the method could offer a faster and cheaper way of dealing with the hundreds of tonnes of high-level radioactive waste accumulated by the UK over the last seven decades and the new waste generated by future reactors like Hinkley Point C, under construction in Somerset. The solution will see used fuel rods from nuclear reactors placed into steel cylinders designed to fit into boreholes drilled thousands of feet into deep rock formations. The UK's massive nuclear waste stockpile includes 110,000 tonnes of uranium, 6,000 tonnes of spent nuclear fuels and about 120 tonnes of plutonium – mostly stored at the Sellafield nuclear site in Cumbria in decaying containers and ageing buildings. The total will grow as estimates do not include much of the waste that will be generated by the next generation of nuclear power stations planned by Mr Miliband – such as Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C – in Suffolk. Nuclear Waste Services, the government-owned company in charge of waste disposal, has estimated the volume at 750,000 cubic meters by the middle of this century. That means officials must find space equivalent to at least eight Royal Albert Halls to dispose of nuclear waste. Deep geological disposal is seen as the only option partly because of the long-lasting nature of radioactivity. Plutonium for example, takes 24,000 years for its radioactivity to decline by just half, while Uranium-238 takes 4.5bn years. However, current methods are hugely expensive. Official estimates published last November estimated the total bill for clean-up will be £263bn and take at least 150 years – making it the UK's biggest financial liability. UK Government Investments warned in its annual report that the cost of 'nuclear decommissioning threatens the Government's finances due to its inherent uncertainty.' The Office for Budget Responsibility has issued similar warnings. A key problem for the UK is that, despite decades of trying, it still has no way of permanently storing nuclear waste. The current plan is to excavate a network of caverns under the sea, filling them with nuclear waste and then sealing them with cement. However, work is not expected to start till at least 2050 and will take decades to complete. Deep boreholes could offer a faster and cheaper solution for at least some of the waste. Under the Deep Isolation scheme, boreholes would be drilled into rock using technology first developed by the oil and gas industry for 'fracking'. Such holes, typically 36 inches in diameter, would be drilled vertically for thousands of feet into rocks that had had no contact with the surface for millions of years – far below drinking-water aquifers. Then they would use directional drilling technology to turn the drill hole horizontal before filling them with waste canisters. Deep Isolation said: 'One borehole could store six years of waste from a Boiling Water Reactor [a type of nuclear reactor] and 10 years of waste from a Pressurized Water Reactor.' Mr Miliband's department has funded a collaboration between Deep Isolation and the UK Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) in Sheffield to design suitable cylinders. These would be made of steel alloys capable of withstanding corrosion for thousands of years and fitted with little wheels to help them roll smoothly into the boreholes. 'This project is a game-changer for deep borehole disposal canisters,' said Rod Baltzer, the chief executive of Deep Isolation. 'It not only validates key aspects of our technology but also advances manufacturability, cost efficiency, and supply chain readiness – paving the way for future deployments.' Charles Carpenter, the head of research at AMRC's Nuclear Manufacturing Group, said: 'Developing a viable, cost-effective solution for nuclear waste disposal is a critical challenge, and this project has demonstrated the manufacturability and scalability of Deep Isolation's innovative canister design.' A Desnz spokesman said: 'The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority continually reviews emerging technologies such as deep borehole disposal, which could play a complementary role in managing some radioactive waste in the future. 'Work is progressing on a geological disposal facility in the UK, as it continues to be internationally recognised as the safest and most secure option for the most hazardous radioactive waste.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
21-04-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Miliband explores cut-price clean-up of Britain's deadliest nuclear waste
Ed Miliband is backing a cut-price clean-up of the UK's growing nuclear waste mountain. The Energy Secretary's plans involve highly radioactive used fuel rods being dropped into holes drilled deep into the Earth's crust. The experimental approach, pioneered by Deep Isolation, an American company, is being funded by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (Desnz), which is helping develop the toughened canisters needed to contain the deadly waste. If it works, the method could offer a faster and cheaper way of dealing with the hundreds of tonnes of high-level radioactive waste accumulated by the UK over the last seven decades and the new waste generated by future reactors like Hinkley Point C, under construction in Somerset. The solution will see used fuel rods from nuclear reactors placed into steel cylinders designed to fit into boreholes drilled thousands of feet into deep rock formations. The UK's massive nuclear waste stockpile includes 110,000 tonnes of uranium, 6,000 tonnes of spent nuclear fuels and about 120 tonnes of plutonium – mostly stored at the Sellafield nuclear site in Cumbria in decaying containers and ageing buildings. The total will grow as estimates do not include much of the waste that will be generated by the next generation of nuclear power stations planned by Mr Miliband – such as Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C – in Suffolk. Nuclear Waste Services, the government-owned company in charge of waste disposal, has estimated the volume at 750,000 cubic meters by the middle of this century. That means officials must find space equivalent to at least eight Royal Albert Halls to dispose of nuclear waste. Deep geological disposal is seen as the only option partly because of the long-lasting nature of radioactivity. Plutonium for example, takes 24,000 years for its radioactivity to decline by just half, while Uranium-238 takes 4.5bn years. However, current methods are hugely expensive. Official estimates published last November estimated the total bill for clean-up will be £263bn and take at least 150 years – making it the UK's biggest financial liability. UK Government Investments warned in its annual report that the cost of 'nuclear decommissioning threatens the Government's finances due to its inherent uncertainty.' The Office for Budget Responsibility has issued similar warnings. A key problem for the UK is that, despite decades of trying, it still has no way of permanently storing nuclear waste. The current plan is to excavate a network of caverns under the sea, filling them with nuclear waste and then sealing them with cement. However, work is not expected to start till at least 2050 and will take decades to complete. Deep boreholes could offer a faster and cheaper solution for at least some of the waste. Under the Deep Isolation scheme, boreholes would be drilled into rock using technology first developed by the oil and gas industry for 'fracking'. Such holes, typically 36 inches in diameter, would be drilled vertically for thousands of feet into rocks that had had no contact with the surface for millions of years – far below drinking-water aquifers. Then they would use directional drilling technology to turn the drill hole horizontal before filling them with waste canisters. Deep Isolation said: 'One borehole could store six years of waste from a Boiling Water Reactor [a type of nuclear reactor] and 10 years of waste from a Pressurized Water Reactor.' Mr Miliband's department has funded a collaboration between Deep Isolation and the UK Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) in Sheffield to design suitable cylinders. These would be made of steel alloys capable of withstanding corrosion for thousands of years and fitted with little wheels to help them roll smoothly into the boreholes. 'This project is a game-changer for deep borehole disposal canisters,' said Rod Baltzer, the chief executive of Deep Isolation. 'It not only validates key aspects of our technology but also advances manufacturability, cost efficiency, and supply chain readiness – paving the way for future deployments.' Charles Carpenter, the head of research at AMRC's Nuclear Manufacturing Group, said: 'Developing a viable, cost-effective solution for nuclear waste disposal is a critical challenge, and this project has demonstrated the manufacturability and scalability of Deep Isolation's innovative canister design.' A Desnz spokesman said: 'The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority continually reviews emerging technologies such as deep borehole disposal, which could play a complementary role in managing some radioactive waste in the future. 'Work is progressing on a geological disposal facility in the UK, as it continues to be internationally recognised as the safest and most secure option for the most hazardous radioactive waste.'
