What Happens When a Nuclear Plant Retires

Decommissioning follows a defined sequence: shut down, defuel, decontaminate, dismantle, and restore the site. Defueling removes the spent fuel to pools then dry casks, which ends 99 percent of the radiological hazard.

Large parts can be released after survey. Projects take 10 to 30 years and cost hundreds of millions to billions per site, funded in the United States from fees collected on every kilowatt hour sold.

Sites like Yankee Rowe and Shippingport were cleared to greenfield decades ago, proving the process works..