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Management of Commercially Generated Radioactive Waste - U.S. ...

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Draft p. 3.1.100<br />

Issue<br />

76<br />

CONSEQUENCE ANALYSIS<br />

One commenter noted that the probability <strong>of</strong> a meteor striking an urban area would be<br />

at least 1,000-fold greater than striking a (single) repository, based on urban population<br />

density <strong>of</strong> 3,540/km 2 (draft p. 3.1.145) and assuming 70% <strong>of</strong> the U.S. population in urban<br />

areas. If such comparisons are to be made, they should be reasonably accurate. (58)<br />

Response<br />

DOE agrees that the probability <strong>of</strong> a meteor striking an urban area is many times<br />

greater than that <strong>of</strong> a single repository based on their respective surface areas.<br />

Draft p. 3.1.100<br />

Issue<br />

The destruction caused by a meteorite striking one <strong>of</strong> our large metropolitan areas is<br />

irrelevent to this consideration. We have no control over where a meteorite will fall;<br />

therefore, one place is as good as another, and the possibility <strong>of</strong> a meteorite strike does<br />

not become a consideration in the location <strong>of</strong> cities. The probability that a meteorite will<br />

disperse materials from a deep geologic repository is controllable in that the probability<br />

<strong>of</strong> a meteorite large enough to cause disruption as a function <strong>of</strong> depth and can be reduced<br />

as much as desired by going deep enough. (113-EPA)<br />

Response<br />

The first point regarding a meteorite strike in a metropolitan area was given simply<br />

to provide the reader with perspective. The second point regarding depth <strong>of</strong> repository is<br />

well taken and the text revised accordingly (see Section 5.5).<br />

Issue<br />

Several letters questioned the analysis <strong>of</strong> meteorite scenario.<br />

Draft pp. 3.1.100 and 3.1.138--The meteorite scenario does not appear to be a credible<br />

event because there are not enough craters <strong>of</strong> sufficient size to support.supposition. (35)<br />

Draft pp. 3.1.138-147--It is not clear why a meteorite should be considered in view <strong>of</strong><br />

the vastly greater damage the meteorite itself would do (than any dispersed radioactivity).<br />

(154)

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