The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today increased the funding level for its Community Engagement on Consent-Based Siting Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) from $16 million to $26 million. The additional funding was included in the FY23 Appropriations Bill and raises the number of awards that can be competitively selected to communities interested in learning more about consent-based siting for spent nuclear fuel. The previously extended FOA application period closes January 31, 2023.

The additional funding allows up to 16 awardees to support tasks in the following areas: 

• Organization, leadership, and maintenance of meaningful, inclusive community engagement processes related to the management of spent nuclear fuel. 

• Identifying public values, interests, and goals to promote and enable effective collaboration and community-driven feedback on the consent-based siting process for a potential consolidated interim storage facility.  

• Developing, implementing, and reporting outcomes and strategies that support mutual learning among stakeholders, communities, and experts on spent nuclear fuel-related topics.

While DOE is not soliciting volunteer sites to host consolidated interim storage facilities as part of this funding opportunity, the Department hopes to encourage engagement, open dialogue, and build capacity among interested stakeholders and communities about the consent-based siting process. 

Prospective partners may apply for funding HERE. Learn more about DOE’s Consent-Based Siting program.   

Original source can be found here.