Nation IN BRIEF : WASHINGTON, D.C. : U.S. OKs Storage of Spent A-Fuel in S.C.

The United States will accept 20 metric tons of spent nuclear fuel from foreign research reactors and send almost all of it to a South Carolina weapons complex, according to Energy Department officials. South Carolina has fought to prohibit the Clinton administration to send spent fuel and reactor rods to the Savannah River complex, arguing that federal officials have no long-term plans for nuclear waste storage. Last summer, a federal appeals court approved the storage of 157 spent nuclear rods from European research reactors at Savannah River, overruling state objections that a full environmental impact statement was needed first.