The targeted waiver of a settlement agreement made in 1995 will help researchers at Idaho National Laboratory address a national need.

On April 29, the State of Idaho and the U.S. Department of Energy agreed to the waiver of the 1995 Settlement Agreement, which stemmed from a lawsuit filed by Idaho to limit the shipment of spent nuclear fuel to the DOE’s Idaho site for storage.

According to a release, the agreement set up milestones to remove “legacy waste” at Idaho National Laboratory while also allowing for nuclear research and development at INL.

In the 1995 agreement, the amount of spent nuclear fuel entering INL was limited to 55 metric tons and required the DOE to report on the amount received each year. It also excluded shipments of spent fuel from commercial power plants, imposed a deadline of Dec. 31, 2012, to complete treatment of sodium-bearing waste at the site, and allowed Idaho to suspend shipments if the DOE failed to meet any of its deadlines or obligations, according to the INL website.

“Idaho National Laboratory is DOE’s lead lab for nuclear energy research and development, and it is critical that we continue to grow this research capacity and maintain American competitiveness,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright. “This agreement between the State of Idaho and DOE ensures the lab can continue its cutting-edge research to advance nuclear technology, helping to meet President Trump’s commitment to unleash American energy dominance.”

INL stated that the waiver enables it to play a critical role in supporting a national need with research that will help sustain the current nuclear reactor fleet in the U.S., which produces nearly 20% of the country’s electricity.

“As the nation’s center for nuclear energy research and development, we look forward to utilizing our unique facilities and expertise to support this critical national need,” said John Wagner, director of INL. “We are thankful to the Department of Energy and the state of Idaho for entrusting us with the safe and secure execution of our vital mission.”

Additionally, the waiver helps to support research reactors at universities in the U.S., educating up-and-coming nuclear scientists and engineers by allowing “INL to safely manage small amounts of spent nuclear fuel from domestic university reactors, preserving this crucial national research and talent pipeline.”

“The collaborative effort between the State of Idaho, the U.S. Department of Energy, and the Idaho National Laboratory showcases our commitment to advancing nuclear energy research while upholding the goals of the 1995 Settlement Agreement,” said Gov. Brad Little. “We are proud to support innovation in nuclear energy that will support national security and energy independence into the future.”