In the shadow of every city skyline, power plants hum with the promise of light, warmth, and progress. Yet, behind the scenes, these engines of modern life grapple with a less visible but equally critical challenge: managing the vast and varied waste streams they generate. From the ash-laden byproducts of coal combustion to the invisible hazards of spent nuclear fuel, the story of power plant waste management is one of innovation, vigilance, and, increasingly, community partnership.