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

UNITED STATES
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
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Dr. Colin A. Heath
Director, Division of
Haste Isolation
Dr. Colin A. Heath -2 - T 2 5 19
"Present scientific and technological knowledge is adequate
to identify potential repository sites for further investigation.
No scientific or technical reason is known that would
prevent identifying a site that is suitable for a repository
provided that the systems view is utilized rigorously to
evaluate the suitability of sites and designs, and in minimizing
the influence of future human activities....The feasibility
of safely disposing of high-level waste in mined repositories
can only be assessed on the basis of specific investigations
at and determinations of suitability of particular sites.
U.S. Department of Energy
Washington, D.C. 20545
Dear Dr. Heath:
Information obtained at each successive step of site selection
and repository development will permit re-evaluation of risks,
uncertainties, and the ability of the site and repository to
meet regulatory standards."
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commilssion (NRC) staff has reviewed the Department This would provide support for a DOE program designed to proceed
of Energy's Draft Environmental Impact Statement on the Management of Commer- systematically to develop the most promising disposal options
cially Generated Radioactive Waste, DOE/EIS-0046-D, April 1979 (hereafter and as part of this program to proceed with the next logical step in
referred to as the RGEIS). e found many areas have where modifications development of
referor additions
mined geologic disposal, i.e., selection
the
and characteri-
or additions to the statement are necessary. found many areas On the where basis modificatins
of our review, zation
DOE
of
should
potential sites
proceed
in a variety
promptly
of geologic media.
with
We believe
such
that
the staff offers the following general observations. Detailed comments on
development.
the GEIS are enclosed.
Such an approach explicitly recognizes the gaps in present knowledge
1. The conclusion drawn appears to be more comprehensive than can be supporte. and proposes a program designed to eliminate these gaps whilee
e cnuin s t d b n m a c nie tn cn b su , proceeding toward development of an operative disposal technology.
The principal conclusion appears to be that "(1) the disposal of radio- 2. Environmental c risn of alternative strateies
active wastes
for
in geologic
developin
formations can likely be developed and applied geologic repositories should be presented.
with minimal environmental consequences, and (2) therefore, the program
emphasis should be on the establishment of mined repositories as the The Interagency Review Group on Waste Management (IRG) discusses several
operative
operative
disposal technology" (GEIS, page 1., !.1, paragraph 3). HoweverThe However, alternative Interagency strategies Review Group for developing on Waste Management geological (IRG) repositories. discusses
The
several
information presented in the GEIS and its supporting documents does not left it up to the Department
IRG
of Energy GES to do the full en.ronmental
appear to provide firm support for this comprehensive conclusion lef t
it up t o t h e appear support to for provide this firm comprehensive conclusionanalysis
Department of Energy GEIS to do the full environmental
and comparisons of these strategies. The GEIS states that tne
A number of critical areas have not been adequately dealt with. These various strategies will be assessed. However, the GEIS does not contain
include: such an assessment.
- long-term hydrogeologic transport of radionuclides from a geologic The GEIS should examine each of the national strategies discussed (and
repository. any others deemed reasonable) in an explicit manner which permits an
environmental comparison of the alternatives.
- effects on long-term repository isolation capability ;f repository
construction
3.
and
Environmental
emplaced waste (thermal and radiological
aspects
effects)
of alternative
onmental aspects of alternative
timin
timin
strategies
strategies for
for coitment
commitment
of waste to the reoository should be examined.---
- potential effects of accidents during repository operation on the
ability to properly backfill and seal the repository or safely
I n S e c t i o n s 1 .1 a nd 4.7.3, the GEIS concludes that the impacts of later
remove the wastes already emplaced. implementation are insignificant. However, throughout the document, the
implicit assumption exists that permanent disposal of the accumulated
It may be that based on currently available information, such a compre- waste as soon as possible is an attribute of dominant importance.
hensive conclusion cannot be completely supported. If so, consideration
should be given to restructuring the GEIS to support a more modest
conclusidn, perhaps similar to the following conclusion reached by the
IRG (IRG report, page 42, para. 3).