Radwaste considerations for economics and siting of ITER and fusion power reactors in Illinois and elsewhere in the U.S.

Experience with regional waste disposal facility siting attempts suggests that low level radioactive waste production from controlled fusion reactors could be a significant impediment to facility siting in many areas of the U.S. as long as current facility siting and waste disposal practices continue. Of particular concern is the resistance of people in lower population density regions to taking on waste burdens produced in serving metropolitan areas. A review of recent costs associated with low level radioactive waste disposal facility siting and nuclear power plant decommissioning plans suggests that siting decisions for ITER and future fusion reactor facilities may need to pay careful attention at the outset to the eventual fate of the low level radioactive wastes to be produced at these facilities.