Recognizing the rising role of nuclear power in a reduced-carbon future, Gregory Jaczko, head of the Unites States Nuclear Regulatory Commission has proposed an important and fundamental change in the way American nuclear plants handle their spent fuel cells.

Rather than rely on large, water-filled containment pools, which require complex cooling systems and leave spend fuel vulnerable to fire and terrorist attack, the NRC commissioner has instead suggested a changeover to dry cask storage.

The lower-capacity casks would require separating spent fuel out, rather than piling it together, thus reducing the risk of continued reactions overwhelming a pool’s cooling system. Additionally, each cask would have to be individually compromised in the event of a terrorist attack, vastly reducing the amount of radioactive material that could be released in a single strike.

While there are many hurdles still to overcome if nuclear is to become a more prominent power option in the near future, improved spent fuel storage is a significant step toward a safer and cleaner nuclear future.