US Department of Energy Perspectives on the NRC s Low-Level Radioactive Waste Strategic Assessment

Transcription

1 US Department of Energy Perspectives on the NRC s Low-Level Radioactive Waste Strategic Assessment Christine Gelles Director, Office of Disposal Operations Office of Environmental Management

2 Preface US DOE receives its authorities and responsibilities related to LLW management from the Atomic Energy Act, as amended, and the Low-Level Waste Policy Act Amendments DOE is self regulating Its national security, energy, research and environmental management programs generate significant volumes of radioactive wastes that must be safely managed Office of Environmental Management (EM) has the DOEwide responsibility for waste management policy and coordination EM also responsible for implementing DOE s statutory responsibilities related to commercial LLW management 2

3 Discussion Topics DOE-EM views on NRC LLRW Strategic Assessment DOE LLW opportunities and challenges Status of the Greater Than Class C (GTCC) LLRW Environmental Impact Statement Shipment data as of 2/19/08 3

4 DOE views NRC LLW Strategic Assessment positively Strategic Assessment (SA) provides clear and accurate summary of national LLW challenges Clear explanation of how issues were identified and prioritized Honest communication of resource challenges and agency plans SA provides DOE critical insights into potential regulatory changes and revised guidance DOE-EM concurs with the analyses, major findings and conclusions of the SA DOE and NRC share common goals 4

5 DOE relies on stable commercial LLW system DOE-EM s ability to achieve its site cleanup and risk reduction objectives is dependent upon the a safe, predictable and cost effective radioactive waste management program Although DOE waste management policy calls for primary use of DOE-owned disposal facilities, commercial facilities can (and are) used on an exception basis DOE activities may have a direct impact on commercial LLW management market. 5

6 Volumes of DOE waste requiring off-site disposal have declined significantly 300 Thousands of cubic meters FY Comm DOE (NTS) TBD 6

7 DOE s LLW opportunities and challenges are similar to those identified in NRC s SA Low activity waste disposition Limitations in disposal capacity Economic conditions of disposal market Future and problematic waste streams Depleted uranium from conversion facilities Reprocessing wastes Orphan wastes GTCC LLRW disposal 7

8 Greater-Than-Class C LLW Disposal EIS EM has initiated efforts to develop an Environmental Impact Statement for GTCC LLW Disposal Notice of Intent published in July 23, 2007 Public scoping process completed September 21, 2007 Approximately 250 comments received DOE is evaluating disposal alternatives for commercially generated GTCC LLW, as well as DOE LLW and TRU waste with characteristics similar to GTCC LLW and which do not have an identified path to disposal The Energy Policy Act of 2005 requires DOE to report to Congress on alternatives evaluated in EIS and await their action before issuing a Record of Decision. 8

9 In closing DOE-EM applauds NRC s LLRW Strategic Assessment efforts DOE is committed to same goals Ensure safe and secure LLW disposal Improve cost effectively, efficiency of LLW disposal programs Ensure stability and predictability, while allowing flexibility Within current statutory framework, a healthy balance between the Federal and commercial LLW management markets is critical DOE will continue to work closely with NRC on LLW efforts LLW management 9

10 background slides 10

11 DOE Order 435.1, Radioactive Waste* Management, Establishes Policy & Framework for Waste Disposition Activities LLW/MLLW If practical, disposal on the site where generated If on-site disposal not available, at another DOE disposal Facility At commercial disposal facilities if compliant, cost effective, and in the best interest of DOE TRU Waste If defense, dispose at Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) If defense determination pending, safe storage awaiting future disposition HLW and SNF Stabilization, immobilization/treatment if necessary, and safe interim site storage until geologic disposal is available * Other documents define plan for interim management of special nuclear materials (SNM); excess SNM disposal plans are integrated with waste plans

12 DOE s Waste Disposal Complex Hanford INL Ames Fermi West Valley RMI Knolls LBNL SLAC Sandia Legend LLNL ETEC NTS General Atomics ANL Mound Bettis Kansas City Fernald BCL Rocky Flats Portsmouth Paducah LANL Sandia Oak Ridge ITRI WIPP Pantex Plant Savannah River Brookhaven Princeton (PPPL) DOE Generator Site (no on-site disposal facility) CERCLA Disposal Facility Sites are closed LLW Operations Disposal Facility MLLW Operations Disposal Facility Regional LLW Disposal Facility Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) for TRU disposal Yucca Mountain Repository for HLW/SNF Disposal DOE Waste Management Policy: LLW and MLLW: If practical, disposal on the site at which it is generated. If on-site disposal not available, at another DOE disposal facility. At commercial disposal facilities if compliant, cost effective, and in best interest of the Department TRU waste: If defense, disposed at Waste Isolation Pilot Plant, New Mexico. If nondefense, safe storage awaiting future disposition HLW and SNF: Stabilization, if necessary, and safe storage until geologic disposal is available 12