Nuclear Energy & Waste Program
The role of the Berkeley Lab Earth Sciences Division Nuclear Energy and Waste (NEW) Program is to assist the U.S. Department of Energy, the United States, and other countries in solving problems concerning the safe and effective use of nuclear energy and geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste, through high-quality scientific analyses and technology development. Most of this research program is associated with waste forms and disposal research, in the following areas and activities: the Yucca Mountain Project, the Science and Technology Program, the Used Fuel Disposition Project, the NEAMS Initiative, and various International Projects. The key driver is to improve the scientific foundation of hydrological, thermal, geochemical, and geochemical processes and their interactions relevant to the long-term containment of nuclear waste. Beyond waste-related research, LBNL scientists also engage in design of new nuclear power plants.
Research in this program is accomplished by approximately 25 LBNL scientists and postdocs, who are members of various Earth Science Division departments. The program is largely supported by DOE’s Office of Nuclear Energy and Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management, with additional funding coming from a variety of additional sponsors.