This Second Amended Determination follows the approval of additional funding, extended period of performance, and new project milestones to support the project team's small-scale research and development of a simple, scalable route for immobilizing multiple waste streams (metals, salts, carbon) from any potential advanced reactor fuel cycle into a singular, high-density, durable cermet (a heat-resistant ceramic and metallic composite) waste form.
Office of NEPA Policy and Compliance
April 2, 2026
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This Second Amended Determination follows the approval of additional funding, extended period of performance, and new project milestones to support the project team's small-scale research and development of a simple, scalable route for immobilizing multiple waste streams (metals, salts, carbon) from any potential advanced reactor fuel cycle into a singular, high-density, durable cermet (a heat-resistant ceramic and metallic composite) waste form. Specifically, the project team will (1) continue to fabricate, test, and validate variations of cermet waste forms to meet performance metrics, (2) based on performance metrics, identify one cermet waste form for full scale testing and validation, and (3) compare final cermet waste form with other types waste forms for use in next phase development. If successful, this project would substantially minimize processing of advanced reactor waste streams suitable for multiple disposal environments and reduce production operation and maintenance costs, ultimately reducing dependence on foreign energy sources, thereby increasing U.S. energy security, and providing a transformative solution to improve the management, clean up, and disposal of radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel.