The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) affirms its interpretation of the statutory term “high-level radioactive waste” (HLW) as defined in the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (AEA), and the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, as amended (NWPA). The HLW interpretation (HLWI) is consistent with the law, the best available science and data, and the recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Commission on America’s Nuclear Future. In developing the HLWI, the views of members of the public and the scientific community were considered.