University Partnerships Prepare Idaho for Used Nuclear Fuel Shipments

Idaho Environmental Coalition used nuclear fuel examiners performed inspections of Breazeale Research Reactor fuel with staff at Penn State University.

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho — The Idaho Cleanup Project (ICP) will help transfer used nuclear fuel (UNF) to the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) Site from the Breazeale Research Reactor at Penn State University in coming months.

The UNF is Training Research Isotope General Atomics (TRIGA) fuel, which supports domestic research reactors on university campuses and advances nuclear energy and medical research.

To prepare for the shipment, ICP contractor Idaho Environmental Coalition (IEC) took part in training and is drawing from its university partnerships to ensure the project is completed safely and efficiently.

Earlier this year, IEC UNF examiners joined a training exercise at the TRIGA reactor at the University of Utah campus. They performed underwater visual examinations, evaluated fuel conditions, operated new camera systems and practiced team coordination in a reactor environment.

“The value of this opportunity can’t be overstated,” IEC UNF Projects Senior Manager Kerry Oltmanns said. “The training environment allowed our team to practice in a realistic setting that can’t be replicated in Idaho, and I am grateful for this collaborative effort with our partners in Utah.”

IEC crews also worked extensively with Penn State counterparts. The IEC examiners completed an inspection of the Breazeale Research Reactor fuel, ensuring the fuel elements meet transportation and storage requirements.

“This inspection is a crucial step to ensure safety throughout the process,” Oltmanns said.

In April 2025, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the state of Idaho signed a waiver to the 1995 Idaho Settlement Agreement to allow receipt and storage of TRIGA fuel in Idaho. The waiver resulted from ICP meeting milestones laid out in the agreement.

By accepting TRIGA fuel for storage at the INL Site, the DOE Office of Environmental Management supports DOE research to advance American energy and technology while remaining protective of the workforce, public and environment.

-Contributor: Carter Harrison