SUMMARY

Currently, the United States is investigating methods to close the nuclear fuel cycle and increase the use of nuclear power for electricity and cogeneration applications. Congress has called for and held hearings in an attempt to determine an appropriate path forward for reprocessing of nuclear fuel. However, each current proposed method presents a different set of attributes with regards to: Complexity, consistency, waste, flexibility, and proliferation risks. This thesis provides a decision analysis methodology for approaching the reprocessing issue. The presented methodology builds on the previous approach put forth in the 1970's. Further, current reprocessing technologies which are capable of processing the oxide fuels utilized in the majority of United States reactors are evaluated across parameters within the methodology to show how one might be selected.