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

3.5
3.1.2 Alternative Action--Parallel Development
As an alternative to emphasis on geologic disposal, the research and development pro-
gram would emphasize the parallel development of several disposal technologies. This action
implies an R&D program to bring the knowledge regarding two or three disposal concepts and
their development status to an approximately equal level. At some later point, a preferred
technology would be selected for construction of facilities for radioactive waste disposal.
Based upon the Department of Energy's evaluation, the likely candidate technologies for
this parallel development strategy would be:
1) geologic disposal using conventional mining techniques
2) placement in sediment beneath the deep ocean (subseabed)
3) disposal in very deep holes.
In order to develop several technologies in parallel, the range of approaches within
each disposal technology would likely be narrowed to a single candidate approach.
The geologic disposal program would concentrate on a most preferred geohydrological
system and, possibly, host rock. By narrowing the focus of the program, resources of time,
money, and manpower would be made available to pursue the parallel development programs of
the other two technologies.
In a similar fashion, the subseabed program would focus on a preferred system for waste
emplacement and on a few locations.
The program activities for very deep hole disposal would eventually be focused on spe-
cific deep geohydrological systems and in specific regions of the country. Since adequate
information about such deep systems is not currently available to do this, a program of
study would need to be developed to acquire such information.
The strategy to develop several disposal technologies in parallel requires the use of
extended term storage facilities since significant additional time would be required to
bring the technologies of sub-seabed and very deep hole disposal to a level of development
equivalent to that of geologic disposal. The main differences between the Proposed Action
and the First Alternative Action are the degree of emphasis on geologic disposal and the
timing of actual construction of waste disposal facilities.
3.1.3 No-Action Alternative
This alternative would eliminate or significantly reduce the Department of Energy's
research and development programs for radioactive waste disposal. Under this alternative,
existing spent fuel would be left indefinitely where it is currently stored and any
additional spent fuel discharged from future operation of commercial nuclear power plants
would likewise be stored indefinitely in water basin facilities either at the reactors or