CEAC-2021-01-January

The first load of nuclear waste arrives at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant site in Carlsbad, N.M., from Los Alamos National Laboratory. Managers of the federal
government's underground nuclear waste repository in southern New Mexico say operations are ongoing despite a recent increase in COVID-19 cases
among workers. The Carlsbad Current-Argus reports that the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant has seen cases among employees and contract workers more than
double in the last week. (AP Photo/Thomas Herbert, File)
lowered the volume of waste already stored there, clearing
the way for more future shipments. But nuclear watchdogs
challenging the change in court have argued that it was contrary
to federal law.
Adding more space also will require new models to be developed.
That would trigger a review and approval process
by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Additional
approvals by state officials also would be required, a process
that could take nearly two years.
According to the report, the Energy Department’s schedule
for excavating more disposal vaults is unreliable. The GAO
stated that there are significant risks that could delay the
schedule and the Energy Department failed to compensate
for the risks by including additional contingency time.
Those risks include delays in building the ventilation system
and the utility shaft. The GAO noted that both projects are
facing challenges with identifying and overseeing contractors
and getting necessary regulatory approvals.
Volume 86 · Number 1 | 49