this post was submitted on 24 Aug 2025
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Dry cask storage is a method for safely storing spent nuclear fuel after it has cooled for several years in water pools. Once the fuel rods are no longer producing extreme heat, they are sealed inside massive steel and concrete casks that provide both radiation shielding and passive cooling through natural air circulation—no water is needed. Each cask can weigh over 100 tons and is engineered to resist earthquakes, floods, fire, and even missile strikes. This makes it a robust interim solution until permanent deep geological repositories are available. The casks are expected to last 50–100 years, though the fuel inside remains radioactive for thousands. Dry cask storage reduces reliance on crowded spent fuel pools, provides a secure above-ground option, and buys time for nations to develop long-term disposal strategies. In essence, it’s a durable, self-contained “vault” for nuclear waste

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[–] Cethin@lemmy.zip 1 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Where are people worrying about radioactive waste leaking into water? Fukushima? That's a totally different beast. It isn't because of stored waste. Nowhere in the US is there any legitimate concern. There may be fear mongering though.

Corrosion over the long term is way more problematic than sudden violent shocks.

Very true. That's why it's encased in concrete, and the atmosphere was replaced with helium (or hydrogen, I don't remember), which will not react with metal. No corrosion can happen unless the concrete cracks, in which case it'll fail inspection and be repaired/replaced. There's a reason bridges can use steal encased in concrete even over salt water usually without issue, unless the concrete cracks.

Also, most currently existing radioactive waste is already leaking into the environment.

Citation needed. No it fucking isn't. Provide evidence for such a bold claim.

[–] raspberriesareyummy@lemmy.world -1 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Nowhere in the US is there any legitimate concern.

The world is more than the banana republic of the divided states of southern northern america. I won't waste my time with you anymore.

[–] Cethin@lemmy.zip 2 points 3 weeks ago

This post is about a power plant in Maine, a state in the union.

Anyway, you provided no evidence to back up your claim. Present some or everyone will assume you don't have any. Before you do, again, Fukushima is a nuclear disaster. It isn't an issue with stored waste, rather the reactor melting down, so does not relate to the discussion here. Where is there stored waste that's entering the water?