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title: Small Modular Reactors and Nuclear Waste: What the Research Reveals - Wyoming Liberty Group - Wyoming Liberty Group
description: Small modular reactors are frequently promoted as a safer and more affordable alternative to conventional nuclear power plants. However, a peer-reviewed study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences examines another important
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\[!\[Wyoming Liberty Group\](https://wyliberty.org/images/2020/06/01/wy-logo-lg-trees.png)!\[Wyoming Liberty Group\](https://wyliberty.org/images/2020/06/01/wy-logo-sm-trees.png)\](https://wyliberty.org/) \[\](#)- \[Home\](https://wyliberty.org/) - \[About\](https://wyliberty.org/javascript:void(0);) - \[Who We Are\](https://wyliberty.org/about/who-we-are) - \[Core Principles\](https://wyliberty.org/about/core-principles) - \[Staff &amp; Board\](https://wyliberty.org/about/staff) - \[Publications\](https://wyliberty.org/about/publications) - \[Current Posts\](https://wyliberty.org/current-posts) - \[Topics\](https://wyliberty.org/javascript:void(0);) - \[Wyliberty Policy Compass\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/wyliberty-policy-compass) - \[Economic\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/economic) - \[Education\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/education) - \[Election Security Standards\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/election-security-standards) - \[Energy and Resources\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/energy-and-resources) - \[Eye on the Issues\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/eye-on-the-issues) - \[Government Programs\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/government-programs) - \[Health Care\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/health-care) - \[Keep Wyoming Strong\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/keep-wyoming-strong) - \[Legal\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/legal-perspectives) - \[Limited Government\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/limited-government) - \[Marijuana/THC\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/marijuana-thc) - \[Political\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/political-perspectives) - \[Property Rights\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/property-rights) - \[Regulation\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/government-regulation) - \[Spotlight on WyLiberty\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/spotlight-on-wyliberty) - \[Timeless Topics\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/timeless-topics) - \[Transparency\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/government-transparency) - \[Get Involved\](https://wyliberty.org/javascript:void(0);) - \[Donation/Membership\](https://wyliberty.org/get-involved/donate) - \[Newsletter\](https://mailchi.mp/3d5c211df744/newsletter-sign-up) - \[Contact \](https://wyliberty.org/contact) - \[Search\](https://wyliberty.org/search) ## Learn About ### Government Regulation <a></a> Font size: \[ &amp;plus; \](https://wyliberty.org/javascript:void(0);) \[ – \](https://wyliberty.org/javascript:void(0);) \[ Print \](https://wyliberty.org/blog/government-regulation/small-modular-reactors-and-nuclear-waste-what-the-research-reveals?tmpl=component&amp;print=1&amp;format=print "Print") # Small Modular Reactors and Nuclear Waste: What the Research Reveals \[Energy and Resources\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/energy-and-resources) \[Regulation\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/government-regulation) Thursday, 20 February 2025 Small modular reactors are frequently promoted as a safer and more affordable alternative to conventional nuclear power plants. However, a peer-reviewed study published in the \*Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences\* examines another important part of the discussion: the volume, composition, storage, and long-term disposal of the nuclear waste these reactors may produce. Researchers Lindsay M. Krall, Allison M. Macfarlane, and Rodney C. Ewing compared three proposed small modular reactor designs with a conventional pressurized-water reactor. Their analysis found that the selected SMR designs could generate between two and 30 times more waste by volume per unit of energy produced, depending on the reactor and waste stream. The researchers also identified concerns involving chemically reactive materials, neutron leakage, fissile isotopes, and the long-term management of spent nuclear fuel. Although the study evaluates only three proposed designs, its findings raise important questions for Wyoming policymakers and communities considering the costs, benefits, and long-term responsibilities associated with nuclear development. \[Nuclear waste from small modular reactors\](https://online.flippingbook.com/view/525227820/) \[ \](https://wyliberty.org/javascript:void(0);) \[ \](https://wyliberty.org/javascript:void(0);) \[ \](https://wyliberty.org/javascript:void(0);) Tags: \[Energy\](https://wyliberty.org/blog-tags/energy) \[Publications\](https://wyliberty.org/blog-tags/publications) \[Nuclear\](https://wyliberty.org/blog-tags/nuclear) \[Nuclear Power\](https://wyliberty.org/blog-tags/nuclear-power) \[ Before the Reactor: Uranium Milling in Canyon City... \](https://wyliberty.org/blog/eye-on-the-issues/before-the-reactor-uranium-milling-in-canyon-city-co-episode-92) \[ Manufacturing Small Nuclear Reactors - What would ... \](https://wyliberty.org/blog/energy-and-resources/manufacturing-small-nuclear-reactors-what-would-they-mean-for-wyoming) #### Related Posts ### \[WyLiberty’s 10 Interim Topics to Watch\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/government-transparency/wylibertys-10-interim-topics-to-watch) \[Transparency\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/government-transparency) ### \[WY 2026 SF 123 - Wyoming Energy Dominance Fund\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/political-perspectives/wy-2026-sf-123-wyoming-energy-dominance-fund) \[Political\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/political-perspectives) ### \[Nuclear Energy, Data Centers, and the Bigger Policy Picture with Eric Epstein - Episode 108\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/eye-on-the-issues/nuclear-energy-data-centers-and-the-bigger-policy-picture-with-eric-epstein-episode-108) \[Eye on the Issues\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/eye-on-the-issues) ### \[WY 2026 HB 46 - Electricity From Solar and Nuclear Resources - Taxation\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/energy-and-resources/wy-2026-hb-46-electricity-from-solar-and-nuclear-resources-taxation) \[Energy and Resources\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/energy-and-resources) ### \[Nuclear Development and Wyoming's Public Lands: An Intern's Policy Research - Episode 105\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/eye-on-the-issues/nuclear-development-and-wyomings-public-lands-an-interns-policy-research-episode-105) \[Eye on the Issues\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/eye-on-the-issues) ### \[Nuclear Development and the Future of Wyoming’s Public Lands\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/energy-and-resources/nuclear-development-and-the-future-of-wyomings-public-lands) \[Energy and Resources\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/energy-and-resources) !\[logo white 002\](https://wyliberty.org/images/general\_art/logo\_white\_002.png) \*\*Wyoming Liberty Group\*\* P.O. 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