ML060330173

Unsigned, Draft Letter from NRC Chairman, Nils Diaz, to the Honorable Norm Dicks, Congress of the United States, Response to Letter Expressing Concern About Rulemaking

ML060330173
Person / Time
Site:	Haddam Neck File:Connecticut Yankee Atomic Power Co icon.png
Issue date:	01/20/2006
From:	Diaz N NRC/Chairman
To:	Dicks N US Congress
Shared Package
ML060320259	List: CY-05-002, Letter to NRC Document Control Desk from G. Bouchard, Connecticut Yankee Atomic Power Company, Request for Approval of Proposed Procedures in Accordance with 10 CFR 20.2002 ML060320284 ML060320293 ML060320393 ML060320401 ML060320404 ML060320407 ML060330078 ML060330091 ML060330095 ML060330119 ML060330131 ML060330134 ML060330136 ML060330137 ML060330139 ML060330143 ML060330145 ML060330149 ML060330153 ML060330157 ML060330159 ML060330162 ML060330164 ML060330173 ML060330182
References
FOIA/PA-2005-0293
Download: ML060330173 (2)

Text

UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTDN, D.C. 20555-0001-The Honorable Norm Dicks Congress of the United States Washington, DC 20515

Dear Congressman Dicks:

On behalf of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), I am responding to your April 13, 2005, letter to me, in which you expressed concerns about a rulemaking regarding the disposal of low-activity radioactive waste and the conditions under which this waste may be disposed of at a facility not licensed by the NRC, such as a RCRA hazardous waste disposal facility. In particular, you were concerned about an application by the Connecticut Yankee Atomic Power Company (CYAPCO) to dispose of certain low-activity radioactive waste at a RCRA facility in Idaho, and whether an NRC decision on this application might be interpreted as preempting the rulemaking process.

You referred to the ongoing NRC rulemaking on controlling the disposition of solid materials. The rulemaking package, which includes a proposed rule (including the statements of consideration for the proposed rule), a draft generic environmental impact statement, and the regulatory analysis, is currently before the Commission for review. These documents are available on NRC web site, http://www.nrc.pxov/materials.html (under Key Topics, link to Controlling the Disposition of Solid Materials, and then to Current Events). In a separate action, CYAPCO has requested alternate disposal of building debris from site decommissioning under the existing provisions of 10 CFR 20.2002.

The current provisions for radioactive wvaste disposal in 10 CFR 20.2002 and the proposed rulemaking on controlling the disposition of solid materials cover different parts of the regulatory spectrum. The current 10 CFR 20.2002 requirements address alternative procedures for disposal on a case-by-case basis for either on-site or off-site disposal. The proposed rulemaking will address matters such as release and reuse of solid materials on a generic basis. NRC will continue to review and consider on a case-by-case basis licensee disposal requests under 10 CFR 20.2002 regardless of the Commission's decision on the proposed rulemaking on controlling the disposition of solid materials. If the proposed rule is promulgated, 10 CFR 20.2002 will remain in place and will still provide a means by which licensees c:an apply for case-specific reviews of proposed disposal procedures, not otherwise authorized in the other parts of the regulations.

Additionally, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking a broad look at the disposal of low-activity waste nationally, with the goal of improving clarity and consistency in the regulation of such materials. NRC worked with the EPA as EPA developed its Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) on this topic, and NRC expects to assist EPA in future related follow-up actions. At this time, the EPA is evaluating comments on the ANPR before deciding whether to proceed with a rulemaking.

You also asked about the CYAPCO application for disposal of radioactive demolition debris. The general requirements for alternate waste disposal are set forth in 10 CFR Part 20, Subpart K. Section 20.2002 states that a "...licensee or applicant for a license may apply to the A.... A/6

this chapter, to dispose of licensed material generated in the licensee's activities' CYAPCO, an NRC licensee, has requested approval to dispose of demolition debris from decommissioning the Haddam Ne-W-Plant at the US Ecology site in Idaho. The request was submitted on September -16, 2004, pursuant to Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Section 20.2002, "Method of Obtaining Approval-of Proposed Disposal Prooedures." This is a regulation of a long-standing, practical use that has been applied many times over the years. It is applicable to individual licensee requests ard entails an environmental evaluation for the unique and specific proposed disposal. In reviewing the request, NRC staff determined that any radiation doses from the disposal will be maintained within the limits set forth in Part 20, "Standards for Protection against Radiation," and be as low as is reasonably achievable. The staff also evaluated the proposal to ensure it would not have a significant environmental impact.

The NRC provided the States of Idaho and Ccnnecticut with an opportunity to comment on a draft of the environmental assessment (EA) prepared by the staff in response to the CYAPCO request. The staff considered comments from both the States consideration and published the EA in the Federal Register on April 18, 2005. The NRC approved the CYAPCO alternate disposal request on April 19, 2005.

The CYAPCO request is not a precedent for disposal of radioactive materials at RCRA or other non-NRC-licensed facilities. The request was submitted under 10 CFR 20.2002, and other such requests have been made by licensees and granted by the NRC in the past. If a facility is Slate regulated, the disposal must comply not only with 10 CFR 20.2002 but also with State requirements. The CYAPCO request provides information to demonstrate that the material is acceptable for burial at a Subtitle C, RCRA hazardous waste facility in accordance with 10 CFR 20.2002. The RCRA facility is regulated by the State of Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, and any disposal must comply with State of Idaho requirements and be authorized by the State. Additionally, CYAPCO has also requested NRC approve disposal of their decommissioning debris at another RCRAk facility in the State of Texas. This request is currently under staff review.

The Commission recognizes your interest in this matter and appreciates your comments.

Sincerely, Nils J. Diaz