Holtec International and inventor Krishna P. Singh, Ph.D.received an Edison Patent Award in the public safety category for “Systems and Methods for Storing Spent Nuclear Fuel” (U.S. Patent 8,625,732 B2). This invention is a system and method for the underground dry storage of spent nuclear fuel and other nuclear waste. The system provides adequate ventilation and complete physical protection by storing the fuel and waste below grade in reinforced vertical silos.