The Blue Ribbon Commission on America's Nuclear Future was formed at the direction of the President to conduct a comprehensive review of polices for managing the back end of the nuclear fuel cycle.  If we are going to ensure that the United States remains at the forefront of nuclear safety and security, non-proliferation, and nuclear energy technology we must develop an effective strategy and workable plan for the safe and secure management and disposal of used nuclear fuel and nuclear waste.  That is why I asked General Scowcroft and Representative Hamilton to draw on their decades of public service and expertise to lead a distinguished panel of scientists, industry leaders, and former elected officials to conduct a comprehensive review of policies for managing the back end of the nuclear fuel cycle.

For the last two years, the co-chairs and the other Commission members have conducted their task in an open, inclusive and comprehensive manner. They received input from a broad range of stakeholders and met more than two dozen times in a variety of settings. The Commission took on a set of tough issues and we welcome their recommendations.  The consensus report they have produced is a critical step toward finding a sustainable approach to disposing used nuclear fuel and nuclear waste. While the specifics of a new strategy for managing our nation's used nuclear fuel will need to be addressed in partnership with Congress, I believe that the Commission's recommendations represent a strong foundation for that effort.

Congress has asked the Department to develop a strategy for managing used nuclear fuel and other nuclear waste within six months of the completion of the Commission's report, and I look forward to working to do so. In the meantime, we will work in parallel to begin implementing the new strategy.  I thank the Blue Ribbon Commission for producing this serious, thoughtful report and set of recommendations.