; and (B) spent nuclear fuel removed from a civilian nuclear power reactor that has been permanently shut down. (23) Public liability The term public liability has the meaning given the term in section 11 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 ( 42 U.S.C. 2014 ). (24) Repository The term repository has the meaning given the term in section 2 of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 ( 42 U.S.C. 10101 ). (25) Reservation The term reservation has the meaning given the term in section 2 of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 ( 42 U.S.C. 10101 ). (26) Secretary The term Secretary means the Secretary of Energy. (27) Site characterization (A) In general The term site characterization means the site-specific activities that the Administrator determines necessary to support an application to the Commission for a license to construct a repository or storage facility under section 305(c). (B) Repository site characterization In the case of a site for a repository, the term site characterization may include borings, surface excavations, excavations of exploratory shafts, limited subsurface lateral excavations and borings, and in situ testing needed to evaluate the suitability of a candidate site for the location of a repository. (C) Storage site characterization In the case of a site for an above-ground storage facility, the term site characterization does not include subsurface borings and excavations that the Administrator determines are uniquely associated with underground disposal and unnecessary to evaluate the suitability of a candidate site for the location of an above-ground storage facility. (D) Preliminary activities The term site characterization does not include preliminary borings and geophysical testing needed to assess whether site characterization should be undertaken. (28) Spent nuclear fuel The term spent nuclear fuel has the meaning given the term in section 2 of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 ( 42 U.S.C. 10101 ). (29) Storage The term storage means the temporary retention of nuclear waste pending the