ML19099A464

Questions & Comments Received on 5th Cycle U.S. National Report for the Joint Convention and Answers Current as of April 2015, Dated 4/10/2015

ML19099A464
Person / Time
Issue date:	04/10/2015
From:	Melanie Wong Division of Decommissioning, Uranium Recovery and Waste Programs
To:
M WONG DUWP
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Download: ML19099A464 (28)

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pg.1 Questions & Comments Received on 5th Cycle U.S. National Report for the Joint Convention and Answers Current as of April 2015 Id IAEA Article Reference Question/Comment Answer 1

Article12 A.4.2:p.10

/

B.2.3.3:p.2 2/H.1.3:

p.108 InsectionB.2.3.3,itissaidthat:"Sourcesof226Ra,othernaturallynaturally occurringradioactivematerials(NORM)ofsimilarhazard,andaccelerator producedradioactivematerialdesignatedas11e.(3)and11e.(4)arenot definedtobewaste,assuch;itcanbedisposedofineitheralicensed radioactivewasteorapermittednonradioactivewastedisposalfacility".May thistypeofwastebeclassifiedasLAW,evenifthereisnoofficiallegal definitionofLAWinplaceintheU.S?TherearenoindicationsinsectionA.4.2 aboutdisposalofthistypeofwaste.

ItissaidinsectionH.1.3thathazardouswastefacilitiesandmunicipalor industrialsolidwastelandfillsarenowusedbytheU.S.generatorsforsome LAWdisposal.Aretheselandfillsdifferentfromthefacilitiesmentionedin sectionD.2.2?

Thetermlowactivitywaste(LAW)doesnothaveastatutoryorregulatorydefinition,but generallymeanswastesthatcontainsomeresidualradioactivity,includingnaturallyoccurring radionuclides,whichcanbesafelydisposedofinhazardousormunicipalsolidwastelandfills.

SuchwasteisinvariablyafractionofthelimitsforClassAlowlevelwaste(LLW)containedin Title10oftheCodeofFederalRegulations(CFR)part61,andisoftenbelowconcentrations thatareconsideredsafeforunrestrictedreleaseunderinternationalstandards.Although thesematerialscouldbedisposedofinaLLWdisposalfacilitylicensedunder10CFRpart61,if alicenseesochooses,disposalatanothertypeoffacility,suchasahazardouswastefacility, canbeauthorizedunder10CFR20.2002.

ThisisaprovisionintheNuclearRegulatoryCommissions(NRC)regulationsthatallowsfor otherdisposalmethods,differentfromthosealreadydefinedintheregulations,providedthat dosesaremaintainedaslowas(is)reasonablyachievableandwithintheregulatorydoselimits in10CFRpart20.ThedisposalofLAWinhazardousorsolidwastelandfillsispermitted, providedthattheregulatorydoselimitsaremetincludingthewasteacceptancecriteriaatthe receivingdisposalfacilities.

2 Article12 A.4.5,13 Itisstatedthatbystatute,DOEmustapplyeveryfiveyearstoEPAfor recertificationofthefacility.In2010,WIPPwasrecertifiedbyEPA.

Whatkindofdocumentsshouldberequiredtoapplyforrecertification?Do thesedocumentsincludetechnicalupdatesofsafetyassessmentand/or environmentalimpactassessmentforthefacilityoperation?

HowdoesEPAissuerecertificationforWIPPoperation?Doesitinclude technicalreviewofdocumentationsubmitted?

AsdescribedinTitle40oftheCodeofFederalRegulations(CFR)194.15,theprimaryfocusof theComplianceRecertificationApplication(CRA)istoupdatepreviousapplicationsby describingchangesthathavetakenplacethatcouldaffectthelongtermperformanceofthe disposalsystem.Forexample,theEnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA)expectstheCRAto addresschangesrelatedtotopicssuchasthedesignofthefacility,wasteinventory,physical orchemicalparametervalues(e.g.,solubility),andtheprobabilityandsignificanceoffeatures, events,andprocesses(FEPs)(e.g.,drillingrates).TheCRAalsoincludesupdatedperformance assessmentsthatincorporatethesechanges.EPAreviewstheCRAtoensurethatitprovides thoroughdocumentationtosupportthesechanges,suchasexperimentaldataornew modelingapproaches,andmeetsqualityassurancespecifications.Experimentaldatacanbe derivedfromresearchconductedglobally,notjustattheWasteIsolationPilotPlant(WIPP)or bytheDepartmentofEnergy(DOE).Previousrecertificationreviewshaverequiredinteraction withDOEtoanswerquestionsorprovideadditionalinformation.EPAannouncesits recertificationdecisionintheFederalRegister(see75FR70584,November18,2010at http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR20101118/pdf/201028806.pdfforthe2010 recertificationdecision).Moreinformationonrecertification,includingdocumentation supportingpreviousreviews,canbefoundathttp://www.epa.gov/radiation/wipp.

3 Article12 B.4.1 WhatistheUSApracticetodisposethedepleteduraniumgeneratedasa resultofcommercialenrichmentactivities?

Currently,ifdepleteduraniumisconsideredtobewaste,itwouldfallunderthedefinitionof lowlevelwaste(LLW)inaccordancewithNuclearRegulatoryCommission(NRC)regulations.

However,thecurrentruledidnotanticipatedisposaloflargequantitiesofdepleteduranium inLLWdisposalsites.In2009,NRCpursuedalimitedrulemakingtospecifyarequirementfora sitespecificanalysisandassociatedtechnicalrequirementsforuniquewastestreams including,butnotlimitedto,thedisposalofsignificantquantitiesofdepleteduranium.This requirementalongwithotherrevisionstoTitle10oftheCodeofFederalRegulations(CFR) part61,arecurrentlyunderdevelopment.Therevisionsto10CFRpart61wouldrequiresite specificanalysestodemonstratetheperformanceobjectivesaremetfordisposalofLLW, includingdepleteduraniumifthedisposalsiteplansonacceptingthismaterial.Oncethe proposedrulechangesareapprovedbytheCommissionandpublishedintheFederalRegister, theproposedruleandcorrespondingguidancedocumentwouldbeavailableforreviewand publiccomment.NRCwouldconsiderandaddressanypubliccommentsontheproposedrule beforeafinalruleisissued.

pg.2 Id IAEA Article Reference Question/Comment Answer 4

Article12 H,108 ItisstatedthatNRCiscurrentlyworkingtorevisecertainportionsof10CFR Part61.

Couldyouprovidethedetailedcontentsof10CFRPart61toberevisedin additiontoK.6item2,andexplainthebackgroundofrevision?

Therevisionsarenecessarybecausethecurrentruleanditssupportingenvironmental evaluationdidnotanticipatedisposaloflargequantitiesofdepleteduraniuminlowlevel wastedisposalsites.TherevisionstoTitle10ofCodeofFederalRegulations(CFR)part61 wouldrequiresitespecificanalysestodemonstratethatperformanceobjectivesaremet.

Theserevisions(1)wouldincludeanupdatetorequirementsforanadequateperformance assessment,(2)wouldincludenewrequirementstoconductaninadvertentintruder assessmentanddemonstratethatdefenseindepthprotectionsareprovided,and(3)would maintainexistingrequirementsforprotectionduringoperationsandananalysisoflongterm stability.Theproposedrevisionswouldalsoallowdisposalfacilitiestodeterminesitespecific wasteacceptancecriteriafromtheresultsofthesitespecifictechnicalanalyses.Thespecific proposedrulechangeswouldbeavailableaftertheCommissionpublishestheproposedrulein theFederalRegister.NRCwouldconsiderandaddressthecommentsreceivedbeforeafinal ruleisproposed.

5 Article12 H.1,108 ItisstatedthatLLWdisposaloccursatcommerciallyoperatedLLWdisposal facilitiesandcouldbelicensedbyeitherNRCpursuantto10CFRPart61or AgreementStatespursuanttotheirregulationswhicharecompatiblewith10 CFRPart61,andallcurrentlyoperatingsitesarelicensedbyAgreement States.

Howwouldberegulatoryconsistencyoflicenserevieworinspection achievedforeachdisposalfacilityamongAgreementStates?

Inthiscase,whatarethemainrolesofNRCforLLWdisposal?

Allcommerciallowlevelwaste(LLW)disposalintheU.S.islicensedbyindividualAgreement StatesinaccordancewithTitle10oftheCodeofFederalRegulations(CFR)part61,asadopted bytheState.Statesmustmaintainaspecifiedlevelofcompatibilitywitheachpartof10CFR part61.Insomecases,stateregulationsmustbeessentiallyidenticaltotheNuclear RegulatoryCommissions(NRCs).Inothercases,stateshavetheflexibilitytobemoreorless strict,whilemaintaininganoverallequivalentstandardforprotectionofhealth,safetyandthe environment.Periodically,stateregulatoryprogramsareevaluatedbyNRCpersonneland theirpeersfromotherstatesduringanIntegratedMaterialsPerformanceEvaluationProgram (IMPEP)review.Departures,ifany,fromstandardsofprogramadequacyandcompatibilityare notedandraisedtoseniorstateofficials.NRCsmainroleinLLWdisposalispromulgationof theoverallregulatoryframeworkandrelatedguidance,programreviewandoversight,and provisionoftechnicalassistanceuponrequest.

6 Article12 H.1.3:

p.109/

H.2.5:

p.114/K.6 COMMENT:SectionH.1.3:"TheCERCLAprogramadministeredbyEPAhasa longhistoryofpermittingresidualmaterialstoremainonsiteprovideda reliablesytemofinstitutionalcontrolsisestablished.CERCLArequiresa revieweveryfiveyearstoensurethecontrolsarecontinuingtofunction".

SectionH.2.5:"MostradioactivewastedisposalsiteswillnotmeetDOE criteriaforunrestrictedreleaseatanyimeintheforeseablefuture...DOE anticipatesmanyofitsfacilitiesmayneverbereleasedfromactive institutionalcontrol...DOEwilluseactiveinstitutionalcontrolsforatleast100 yearsfollowingclosure".

Potentialissuesassociatedtoinstitutionalcontrolwithoutanypossibityof releaseofsitesatanytimecouldbeconsideredmoreindepthinthetext.

NRCrulemakingactivitiesrelatedtothissubject,ifany,shouldbementioned insectionK,forexample.

Thankyouforyourinterest.TheU.S.willconsideraddressingthetopicofinstitutional controlsinmoredetailinthenextU.S6thNationalReport.

7 Article12 p.108 (Section H.1.1)

Disposaloflowlevelradioactivewaste FigureH1(page110)showstheU.S.regionalcompactsforlowlevelwaste disposal.TheTexasCompactcomprisesTexasandVermontwhichis remarkablegiventhelargedistancebetweenthesetwostates.Couldyou pleaseprovideanexplanationforthisbuildup?

TheLowLevelRadioactiveWastePolicyAct(LLRWPA)establishedthelegalandregulatory frameworkgoverningthedisposaloflowlevelwaste(LLW)intheU.S.The1980LLRWPA authorizedasystemofinterstatecompacts(underwhichstatesformedcompactstoprovide fortheregionaldisposalofLLWinnewLLWdisposalfacilities).TheLLRWPAdidnothavea requirementthatcompactsbecomprisedofcontiguousstates.Hence,thereareseveralother compactsmadeupofnoncontiguousstatestheSouthwest,theRockyMountain,andthe AtlanticCompacts.Lessthanayearafterthe1980passageoftheLLRWPA,manystateshad groupedthemselvesintoregionsandweremovingtowardobtainingCongressionalapprovalof theircompacts.InresponsetotheLLRWPA,theTexaslegislatureestablishedtheTexasLow LevelRadioactiveWasteDisposalAuthorityin1981,whichwasresponsibleforidentifying potentialdisposalsitesinTexasandfordeterminingtheviabilityofeachsite.In1993,the

pg.3 Id IAEA Article Reference Question/Comment Answer authoritydraftedanagreementtoformacompactbetweenMaine,Vermont,andTexas, makingTexasthedisposalsitefortheLLWgeneratedbythosethreestates.In2004,Maine havingdecommissioneditsnuclearplantwithdrewfromtheCompact.Formoreinformation, see:http://www.tllrwdcc.org/and http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/senate/commit/archive/c580/pdf/LLRWreport.pdf.

8 Article13 B.3.2.2 NRCistocontinuetheYuccaMountainlicensingprocessuntilCongress authoritativelysaysotherwiseortherearenoappropriatedfundsremaining (sectionB.3.2.2);however,paymentintotheNuclearWasteFundiscurrently suspended(F2.3.2).Whatchallengesdoesthisposeforthefundingofany futuregeologicaldisposalfacility?

AsofSeptember30,2014,thecurrentbalanceoftheNuclearWasteFundisapproximately

$32.9billion.Thesefundscontinuetoearninterestwhilethefeeissuspended.Whenthe Secretaryisagainabletoconductalegallyadequatefeeassessment,thenfeepaymentswill resume,assumingthatsomefuturedeterminationconcludesthatfurtherfeesarenecessary toensurefullcostrecovery.

9 Article13 K3,130 WhataretheoverallprocessandtimelinefordevelopmentofGTCCLLW repository?

ThemajormilestonestobeaccomplishedtoestablishadisposalcapabilityforGreaterthan ClassC(GTCC)Lowlevelwaste(LLW)include:publicationoftheFinalEnvironmentalImpact Statement(EIS)fortheDisposalofGTCCLLWandGTCClikewaste;submissionofaReportto Congressthatincludesthedisposalalternativesevaluated(inaccordancewiththeEnergy PolicyActof2005),Congressionalaction,andaRecordofDecision.TheFinalGTCCEIS publicationisanticipatedincalendaryear2015.TheexactdatesofavailabilityofaGTCCLLW disposalcapabilityarenotknownatthistime.Sitecharacterizationandfacilityconstruction forvariousdisposalalternativesareanalyzedintheDraftGTCCEISandafinalEISwillbeissued includingresponsestopubliccomments.

10 Article15 H.2.4,113 Itisstatedthatsafetyisensuredthroughspecificwastemanagementcontrols (wasteacceptancecriteriaandwastecertificationprograms),andbasedon regulatoryrequirements.

Whodecideswasteacceptancecriteriaandwastecertificationprogramsfor eachDOEfacility?

andisthereanyprocesstoreviewthesuitabilityoradequacyofthoseWAC andWCPsbyregulators?

CertainDepartmentofEnergy(DOE)wastemanagementfacilities(suchasrepositoriesforthe geologicdisposalofspentfuelandhighlevelwaste(HLW),andstoragefacilitiesforspentfuel andHLW)arerequiredtobelicensedbytheNuclearRegulatoryCommission(NRC).DOEs approvaloftheWasteIsolationPilotPlant(WIPP)fordisposalofdefenseTRUwasteis certifiedbytheEnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA).Constructionoroperationoffacilities fordisposalofLLWareapprovedbyDOE'sDeputyAssistantSecretaryforSiteRestorationand WasteManagementintheOfficeofEnvironmentalManagement(EM)followingreviewbythe LowLevelRadioactiveWasteFederalReviewGroup,composedofexpertsfromacrossthe DOEcomplex.Otherspentfuelandradioactivewastestorageandtreatmentfacilitiesare approvedbytheresponsibleseniorDOEofficial.TheOfficeofEnvironment,Health,Safety andSecurity(EHSS)advisestheSecretaryofEnergyonthestatusofcompliancewith regulatoryrequirements.AstheDOEsenvironment,health,safetyandsecurityadvocate, theorganizationsupportsDOEbyidentifyingtherisksintheseareasthatcouldjeopardize DOEsmission.Inaddition,EHSSworkscloselywithDOElinemanagementwhichisultimately responsibleforensuringthatDOEsworkismanagedandperformedinamannerthatprotects workersandthepublicaswellastheDOEsmaterialandinformationassets.(TheFormer OfficeofHealth,SafetyandSecuritywasdividedintotwoseparateorganizationsonMay4, 2014:TheOfficeofEnterpriseAssessmentandtheOfficeofEnvironment,Health,Safetyand Security).

11 Article16 F,p.99 Whatistheprocedureandpracticeforinspectionandcomplianceofwaste packagesstoredinwastestoragefacilitiesregardingdegradationandintegrity ofvariouswastepackagings?

Theintegrityofspentfuelstoragesystemsduringtheinitiallicensingperiod(upto40years)is addressedbyacombinationofdesignandinspectionrequirementssetforthinTitle10ofthe CodeofFederalRegulations(CFR)parts72.122and72.236,Overallrequirementsand Specificrequirementsforspentfuelstoragecaskapprovalandfabrication,respectively.For example,thedesignofreinforcedconcretestructuresareevaluatedagainstAmerican ConcreteInstitute(ACI)Standard349,CodeRequirementsforNuclearSafetyRelated ConcreteStructures,toensurethatspecificdegradationmodesaremitigatedduringservice.

Also,thedesignandfabricationofconfinementsystemsareevaluatedagainsttheAmerican SocietyofMechanicalEngineers(ASME)BoilerandPressureVesselCode,SectionIII,Rulesfor ConstructionofNuclearFacilityComponents,Division1.Theleveloftesting,inspection,and documentationprovidedduringconstructionandmaintenanceisinaccordancewiththe

pg.4

Id IAEA Article Reference Question/Comment Answer qualityassurancerequirementsasdefinedin10CFRpart72,subpartGor10CFRpart50, AppendixB.Storagesystemsarerequiredtobemonitoredusinginspections,tests,orother meanstodemonstratethatsafestorageconditionsaremaintained.Tomeetthis requirement,maintenanceprogramsincludemonitoringactivities(suchasradiation,pressure, andtemperaturemonitoring);visualinspectionsevery5yearsperASMEBoilerandPressure VesselCodeSectionXIArticleIWA2210VT3standardsaftertheinitial20yearsofoperation totheextentallowedbytheinspectionequipmentandaccessiblesurfacesfordefectsthat couldreduceconfinementeffectiveness;periodicvisualinspectionsofairflowventsfor blockagesthatcouldreducethermalperformance;andothertesting,asapplicable,toverify thattheradiationshielding,thermal,andconfinementcapabilitiesofthestoragesystemare maintained.SeeNUREG1536,Revision1,StandardReviewPlanforSpentFuelDryStorage SystemsataGeneralLicenseFacility(http://www.nrc.gov/readingrm/doc collections/nuregs/staff/sr1536)andNUREG1567,StandardReviewPlanforSpentFuelDry StorageFacilities(http://www.nrc.gov/readingrm/doccollections/nuregs/staff/sr1567)for moreinformation.

12 Article17 H.2.5,114 ItisstatedthatDOEwilluseactiveinstitutionalcontrolsforatleast100years followingclosure.

Isthistheminimumrequirementforanactiveinstitutionalcontrolperiodof 100years,andisthisstipulatedonDOEPolicy?

Havetheinstitutionalcontrolperiodsbeendecidedforcommercialdisposal facilitieslikeWCSinTexas?Ifnot,whenwouldinstitutionalcontrolsusually bedeterminedforthosecommercialrepository?

concerninginstitutionalcontrols,isthereanyrelationbetweenDOEpolicy and10CFR61referredto'Institutionalcontrolofaccesstothesiteisrequired forupto100years.'?

U.S.regulationsforlanddisposalofcommercialradioactivewastearespecifiedatTitle10of theCodeofFederalRegulations(CFR)part61.Theregulationsrequirethelandowneror custodialagencytocarryoutaninstitutionalcontrolprogramtophysicallycontrolaccessto thedisposalsitefollowingtransferofcontrolofthedisposalsitefromthedisposalsite operator.Further,theregulationsspecifythattheperiodofinstitutionalcontrolisdetermined bytheNuclearRegulatoryCommission(NRC),butmaynotberelieduponformorethan100 yearsfollowingtransferofcontrolofthedisposalsitetotheowner.AgreementStates,which regulatecommerciallowlevelwaste(LLW)disposalsitessuchasWasteControlSpecialists (WCS)inTexas,arerequiredtoadopttheseregulations.DepartmentofEnergys(DOEs) requirementsforinstitutionalcontrolarespecifiedinDOEOrder435.1.DOEM435.11 specifiesthatinstitutionalcontrolmeasuresshallbeintegratedintolanduseandstewardship plansandprograms,andshallcontinueuntilthefacilitycanbereleased.DOEM435.11also specifiesthatforpurposesofestablishinglimitsontheconcentrationofradionuclidesthat maybedisposedofnearsurface,theperformanceassessmentshallincludeanassessmentof impactscalculatedforahypotheticalpersonassumedtoinadvertentlyintrudeforatemporary periodintothelowlevelwastedisposalfacility.Forintruderanalyses,institutionalcontrols shallbeassumedtobeeffectiveindeterringintrusionforatleast100yearsfollowingclosure.

13 Article19 A.4.2.3 Pleaseclarifybasicprovisionsoftheriskorientedapproachtodisposalwhich areplannedtobeincludedinto10CFRpart61inthecourseofitsrevision?

TheproposedrevisionsforTitle10 oftheCodeofFederalRegulations(CFR)part61would requiresitespecificanalysestodemonstratetheperformanceobjectivesaremet.These revisions(1)wouldincludeanupdatetorequirementsforanadequateperformance assessment,(2)wouldincludenewrequirementstoconductaninadvertentintruder assessmentanddemonstratethatdefenseindepthprotectionsareprovided,and(3)would maintainexistingrequirementsforprotectionduringoperationsandananalysisoflongterm stability.Theproposedrevisionswouldalsoallowdisposalfacilitiestodeterminesitespecific wasteacceptancecriteriafromtheresultsofthesitespecifictechnicalanalyses.Theproposed rulewaspublishedonMarch26th,2015andcanbefoundinNRCsAgencywideDocuments AccessandManagementSystem(ADAMS)atAccessionNo.ML14289A152.

14 Article19 NRC rulemakin gactivities TheIVthReportprovidedthatduetoinadequacyofcapacitiesneededfor LLWdisposal,NRChadbeenupdatingitsguidancerelatedtoextended interimstorageofLLW.Whatistheprogressonthesedocumentsrevision?

TheNuclearRegulatoryCommission(NRC)revieweditsguidancerelatedtointerimstorageof lowlevelwaste(LLW)inregulatoryissuesummary(RIS)1109,AvailableResources AssociatedwithExtendedStorageofLowLevelRadioactiveWaste,andconcludedthatits guidancewasadequate.TheRISandotherrelevantresourcescanbefoundat:

http://www.nrc.gov/waste/llwdisposal/publicoutreach/llwextendedstorage information.html

pg.5

Id IAEA Article Reference Question/Comment Answer 15 Article19 NRC rulemakin gactivities TheIVthReportprovidedthatduetolackofcapacitiesneededforLLW disposal,NRCwasperformingrevisionofRAWclassificationtodisposeofthe depleteduranium.WhatisthesituationonRAWclassificationrevision?

TheproposedrevisionsforTitle10oftheCodeofFederalRegulations(CFR)part61would requirethatsitespecificanalysestodemonstratetheperformanceobjectivesaremetfor disposaloflowlevelwaste,includingdepleteduraniumifthedisposalsitewillbeaccepting depleteduranium.Theserevisions(1)wouldincludeanupdatetorequirementsfor performanceassessments,(2)wouldincludenewrequirementstoconductaninadvertent intruderassessmentanddemonstratethatdefenseindepthprotectionsareprovided,and(3) wouldmaintainexistingrequirementsforprotectionduringoperationsandananalysisoflong termstability.Theproposedrevisionswouldalsoallowdisposalfacilitiestodeterminesite specificwasteacceptancecriteriafromtheresultsofsitespecifictechnicalanalyses.Oncethis rulemakinghasbeencompletedandimplemented,thestaffwillevaluatetheneedforalow levelwasteclassificationrevision.

16 Article19 NRC rulemakin gactivities WhetheranyacceptancecriteriaforGTCCandHLWacceptanceareunder development?

WasteacceptancecriteriafordisposalfacilitiesforGreaterthanClassC(GTCC)Lowlevel waste(LLW)andforhighlevelwaste(HLW)arenotunderdevelopmentatthistime.The DepartmentofEnergy(DOE)isanalyzingalternativesforthedisposalofGTCCLLWandGTCC likewasteandcontinuestoworkontheFinalEnvironmentalImpactStatement(EIS)forthe disposalofsuchwaste.Itwouldbeprematuretodevelopwasteacceptancecriteriafor disposalofGTCCLLWorforHLWintheabsenceoftheselectionofspecificdisposalsitesto providethenecessarydesignandperformancerequirements.

17 Article19 p.51 NRCandDOEhaveamemorandumofunderstanding(MOU)toclarifytheir rolesandresponsibilities,(e.g.,tominimizeoreliminateduplicationofeffort betweenthetwoagencies).Hastheefficiencyofthiscooperationbeen evaluated?

The1990MemorandumofUnderstanding(MOU)wasdevelopedtospecifyrolesand responsibilitiesofthepartiesNuclearRegulatoryCommission(NRC)andDepartmentofEnergy (DOE))inthefederallyfundedprogramforremedialactionsatabandoneduraniummillsunder TitleIoftheUraniumMillTailingsRadiationControlAct(UMTRCA).The1990MOUhassince beensupersededbyaformallicensingprocess.UnderUMTRCA,andinNRCsregulationsat Title10oftheCodeofFederalRegulations(CFR)40.27,DOEisgenerallylicensedfortheTitleI sites.ThelicensebecomeseffectivewhenNRCacceptstheLongtermSurveillancePlanforthe siteandagreeswiththeDOEsdeterminationthatthesiteremediationiscomplete.All remedialactionsassociatedwiththelandsurfacehavebeencompletedandthegeneral licenseisineffectatallbutoneofthesites,theGrandJunctionsite,whichremainsopen underDOEcontrolinordertoacceptsmallvolumesofmillingwastegeneratedbycurrentDOE activities.Theactionsthatremaintodayatthesitesarelargelythelongtermsurveillance and/orgroundwaterremediation/monitoring.Therolesandresponsibilitiesforthelongterm surveillanceandgroundwaterremediation/monitoringareincludedintheMOU;however,as thesitesarenowunderthegenerallicensetherolesandresponsibilitiesforthoseactivities arewelldefinedandduplicationofeffortisnotanticipated.

18 Article20 p.5758 RemediatingradiologicallycontaminatedsiteslistedontheCERCLANational PrioritiesList(NPL).TheNPLincludessiteslicensedbyNRCorAgreement States,aswellasDOEsites.EPAandNRCenteredintoaMOUinOctober 2002,toavoidfutureconfusionaboutthepotentialfordualregulationat decommissionedsites.ThisMOUdefinesconditionswherethetwoagencies wouldconsultonthedecommissioningofNRClicensedfacilities.Whatare theexperiencessofaronthepracticalimplementationoftheMOU?

TheNuclearRegulatoryCommission(NRC)andtheEnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA) haveexchangedconsultationlettersunderaMemorandumofUnderstanding(MOU)on17 NRCdecommissioningsites.EPAhasrespondedtoeachconsultationrequestfromNRCwitha letterexpressingitsviewsonactionsthatNRCshouldconsiderthataddressthesitespecific matterthattriggeredconsultation.Overthecourseofconsultationson17sites,therehave beensomereoccurringthemestoEPAsviews.Primarily,theseareEPArecommendationsto NRCtoconsider:(1)selectinginstitutionalcontrolstoensurethatsomeofNRCsassumptions aboutfuturehumanexposureatthesitearenotexceeded;(2)usingmoresitespecific informationwhenconductingdoseassessmentmodeling;(3)aflexibleapproachto groundwaterprotectionthatstillensuresthepublicisnotexposedtocontaminationlevels overdrinkingwaterlimits;and(4)anapproachsimilartohowEPAimplementssupplemental standardsunderuraniummilltailingsregulatorystandardsatSuperfundsiteswhenthesoil standardof5pCi/g(0.185bq/g)isnotbeingmet.

Aspartoftheconsultationprocess,NRChasconsideredEPAsviewsontheseactions.

ThroughtheimplementationoftheMOU,NRCandEPAstaffhavecontinuedtoworktogether

pg.6

Id IAEA Article Reference Question/Comment Answer inrecognitionofeachAgencysauthorityandcommitmenttoprotectthepublichealthand safety.

ThelettersfromNRCandEPAforeachoftheseconsultationsmaybefoundatthefollowing website:http://www.epa.gov/superfund/health/contaminants/radiation/mouletters.htm MoreinformationabouttheMOU,includingthelettertransmittingitfromEPAHeadquarters tothefieldofficeswithinformationaboutrationalebehindtheMOUmaybefoundatthis website:http://www.epa.gov/superfund/health/contaminants/radiation/mou.htm 19 Article20 p.62 NRCcanrelinquishregulatoryauthoritytoindividualstatesasAgreement State.Howisitperformed?DoestheAgreementgivethesamepower(e.g.

enforcement)tothestateauthoritiesasNRChas?

TheNuclearRegulatoryCommission(NRC)isauthorizedunderfederallegislation(theAtomic EnergyActof1954,asamended)torelinquishcertainlicensingauthoritytoaStateprovided thattheStatehasaradiationprotectionprogramthatisatleastasprotectiveasNRCs (adequatetoprotectpublichealthandsafety)andiscompatiblewithNRCregulationsand requirements.TheStatewilladoptcompatiblelegislationandregulationsinaccordancewith theirlegalsystem.TheStatewillalsodevelopaprogramthatincludesprocedures,fee recovery,andenforcement,andmaintainsufficientstaffforradiationprotectionprogramsfor agreementmaterials(byproduct,sourceandspecialnuclearmaterialoflessthanacertain, smallamount).OnceNRCissatisfiedthattheStatehasaprograminplacetoallowa seamlesstransitionfromNRCtotheState(nogapsinlegaloversightandsamelevelof protectiontotheworkersandpublic),NRCwillapprovetheAgreement.OnceaStatehas developedacompatibleprogram,itwillhavesimilarauthorityasNRCforthesafetyregulation ofcertainmaterialsandfacilitieswithinthatState,whileNRCretainsoverallprogramreview authority.

20 Article20 p.62 Itismentionedthatsomebaserequirementsmustbeadoptedbystates, whilestatesmaychoosenottoadoptotherrules.Whyonlysomebase requirementsmustbeadoptedbystates,whodecidesaboutthat?

Whenastateseeksinitialauthorizationforitshazardouswasteprogram,itmustadoptall requirementsidentifiedbytheEnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA)asnecessaryforsuch authorization.Oncethestatehasbeenauthorizedtoimplementthebaseprogram,new federalrequirementswhicharemorestringentthanthestatesexistinghazardouswaste programmustbeadopted,whilestatesmaychoosenottoadoptotherruleswhichare consideredlessstringent.Theexamplegiveninthereport,whichallowsaconditional exemptionfromtheResourceConservationandRecoveryActof1976(RCRA)requirementsfor mixedwasteforcertaintypesofmanagementinaccordancewitharadioactivematerials license(Title40oftheCodeofFederalRegulationspart266,subpartN),providesforaless stringentmethodofmanagingthesewastes.Therefore,statesarenotrequiredtoadoptthis rule,anditwouldnotbecomeeffectiveunlessthestateadoptsandisauthorizedforit.

21 Article21 p.65 Inwhichcasesdolicenseesoroperatorsofcommercialdisposalfacility transfertheircontrolofthesitetoFederalorgovernmentalagencies?

UnderapplicableU.S.requirements,licenseesofcommercialdisposalfacilitieseventually transfertitleandcontrolofthosefacilitiestogovernmentagenciesforlongtermstewardship beforetheirlicensescanbeterminated.Therearetwodifferentcases,oneforlowlevelwaste (LLW)disposal(Title10oftheCodeofRegulations(CFR)part61)andtheotherforuranium milltailingsdisposal(10CFRpart40).Theregulations(containedin10CFRpart61)require thatallcommerciallicenseesthatareauthorizedforLLWdisposalundertheAtomicEnergy Actof1954,asamended,musttransferownershipofthesiteortheportionoflandonwhich thewasteisdisposedtoagovernmentalagencybeforethelicenseisterminated.Afterthe sitesareclosed,thelicenseswouldbetransferredtothegovernmentandterminatedatthe endoftheinstitutionalcontrolperiod(ofupto100yearsafterclosure).However,oneofthe fourcommercialLLWdisposalfacilitiesintheU.S.receivedanexemptionfromthis governmentownershiprequirement,basedoninformationsubmittedtotheStateregulatory agency.Inaddition,therearecommercialsitesforthedisposalofuraniummilltailingsand relatedmaterialsfromuraniummillingsites.Conventionalmillingsites(i.e.,oreisbroughtto thesurfaceforprocessingatthemill)willhavetheownershipofthelandwiththetailingspile transferredtothegovernmentalagency.Millingsitesthatrecoveruraniuminsitu(i.e.,

pg.7

Id IAEA Article Reference Question/Comment Answer solutionmining)donothavewastespermanentlystoredonsite;however,thelicenseeswill havetodemonstrateatlicenseterminationthatthepropertycanbereleased.

22 Article22 F

TheUSAhasgivenagooddescriptionofthestepstakentoensurethat humanresourcesworkingacrosstheindustryaresuitablyqualifiedand experienced(sectionF),butwhatstepsarebeingtakentoensurethatan adequatesupplyofsuchresourceremainsavailableforthefuture?

TheNuclearRegulatoryCommission(NRC)hasvariousfinancialassistanceprogramsinplacein theformofgrantsandcooperativeagreements.GrantsareawardedtoU.S.educational institutionsintheareasofCurriculumDevelopment,FacultyDevelopment,Scholarshipsand Fellowships(4yearinstitutions),andTradeSchool/CommunityCollegeScholarships(2year institutions).Theagencyalsohasgrant/cooperativeagreementprogramsspecificallyfor nuclearrelatedresearch,aswellasMinorityServingInstitutionsthatmayfocusmorebroadly onSTEM(Science,Technology,Engineering,andMathematics)education.Thesenuclear educationgrantprogramshelpensurethattheU.S.maintainsahighlytrainedandeducated workforceinnuclearscience,technology,andengineeringfieldsfromwhichtodraw.Within NRC,wehaveestablishedmultipleprogramsasameansofhiring,developing,deploying,and retainingahighquality,diverseworkforcewiththeskillsnecessarytocarryoutNRCsmission.

Twoexamplesare,theNuclearSafetyProfessionalDevelopmentProgram(NSPDP)and GraduateFellowshipProgram(GFP).TheNSPDPisourentrylevelprogramforrecent graduates.Theyreceiveextensiveonthejobtraining,formalclassroomtraining,individual study,androtationalassignments.TheGFPtargetsindividualswhowishtogainhighly specializedtechnicalknowledgebyundertakingresearchintensivefulltimegraduateworkina disciplineidentifiedasmeetingNRC'scurrentandfuturecriticalskillneeds.

23 Article22 F.2.3.1,

Para3, p68 ItismentionedinF.2.3.1thatthecommercialLLWmanagementfacilities licenseapplicantshouldensurethatitsfinancesourceisenoughtocoverthe estimatedcostsofconductingalllicensedactivitiesovertheplanned operatinglifeoftheproject,includingcostsofconstructionanddisposal.

Istherelatedcostofafterclosureofadisposalfacilitycoveredinthefinance source?

Andpleaseintroducetheproportionofthecostoftheinstitutionalcontrolin thetotalcost.

SubpartEofTitle10oftheCodeofFederalRegulations(CFR)part61breaksfinancial assurancerequirementsintothreeparts:licensedoperations,closure,andinstitutional control.Thelicenseemusthavenecessaryfunds(orreasonableassuranceofobtainingthem) necessarytocarryoutlicensedactivitiesduringtheoperatinglifeofthesiteunder10CFR 61.61(http://www.nrc.gov/readingrm/doccollections/cfr/part061/part0610061.html).The licenseemustprovideassurancethatfundswillbeavailabletocarryourclosureand stabilizationintheinitiallicenseapplicationunder10CFR61.62(http://www.nrc.gov/reading rm/doccollections/cfr/part061/part0610062.html).

Priortolicensing,theapplicantmustprovideforCommissionreviewacopyofabinding arrangementwiththesiteownerthatdemonstratesavailabilityofsufficientfundstocarryout institutionalcontrolactivitiesunder10CFR61.63,see:http://www.nrc.gov/readingrm/doc collections/cfr/part061/part0610063.html.Theproportionofthecostofinstitutionalcontrol tototalcostwillbeasitespecificdeterminationbasedonthenumberandfrequencyof monitoringandsitemaintenanceactivitiesstipulatedduringtheinstitutionalcontrolperiod.

24 Article22 p.66 HumanresourcesarelistedforNRCasthebudgetnumbersfor2015.The PerformanceandAccountabilityReportFiscalYear2013isgivenas reference.Nosummaryonthesufficiencyofresourcesduringthereporting periodisgiven.Weretheresourcessufficient?

Yes,resourcesweresufficientforNuclearRegulatoryCommission(NRC)tomeetitsregulatory mission.

25 Article22.2 Section F.2.3.2, pp.6869 WhatwasthereasoningbehindtheNovember2013courtruling?Isittrue thattheNuclearWasteFundisnolongerreplenishedfromthissource?

COMMENT:TheReportsaysthatTheNuclearWastePolicyActof1982 (NWPA)requiresutilitieshavingacontractwithDOEforthedisposalofspent fuelorhighlevelwaste(HLW)topayfeesintotheNuclearWasteFund sufficienttocoverthecostsassociatedwithdisposalactivitiesforspentfuel andHLW.FollowingaNovember2013courtruling,thefeehasbeen suspended.Thisfee,evaluatedannuallyforsufficiency,previouslywas$0.001 perkilowatthourofnuclearpowergeneratedandsold.

ThecourtreasonedthattheDepartmentofEnergy(DOE)couldnotdoalegallyadequatefee assessmentasrequiredbytheNuclearWastePolicyActuntileithertheYuccaMountain projectisrevivedoruntilCongressenactsanalternativewastemanagementplan.Thecurrent feefornuclearpowergeneratedandsoldiszero.AsofSeptember30,2014,thebalancein theNuclearWasteFundwas$32.9billion.Interestwillcontinuetoaccrueannuallyonthe balanceintheFund.

26 Article23 F.3.1,Para 2,

ItismentionedinF.3.1thattheapplicantshouldestablishandoperateaQA systemaccordingtotheNRCguidance;however,itismentionedinF.3.2that TheNuclearRegulatoryCommission(NRC)regulationscoverallcommerciallicenseesand someDepartmentofEnergy(DOE)facilities;DOEactivitiesthatarenotsubjecttoregulation

pg.8

Id IAEA Article Reference Question/Comment Answer p71£>>F.3.

2,Para3, p72 theDOEactivitiesaresubjecttoQA requirementof10CFR830.120.Actually, thestructureandkeypointsofthesetwoaresomedifferent.

WhatistherelationofthetwoQAsystems?

ShouldbothofthetwoQAsystemsbemetbythesamefacility?

byNRCarecoveredbyDOEregulations,Ordersandcontractrequirements.Bothagencies criteriaaimtoachieveadequateprotectionoftheworkers,thepublicandtheenvironment, takingintoaccounttheworktobeperformedanditshazards,whiletheyremaindistinctand separate.

27 Article24 F.4,74 Whatistheprocesstoderivethetransfercoefficientsandbioaccumulation factorsusedintheradiologicalenvironmentalimpactassessment?

Whatarethetransfercoefficientandthebioaccumulationfactorappliedto eachradionuclide?

Theprocessusedtoderivethetransfercoefficientsandbioaccumulationfactorsusedinthe radiologicalenvironmentalimpactassessmentcanbefoundinaDepartmentofEnergy(DOE)

Standard,DOESTD11532002,AGradedApproachforEvaluatingRadiationDosestoAquatic andTerrestrialBiota,athttp://energy.gov/ehss/downloads/doestd11532002 ThederivationprocessforthebioaccumulationfactorsisdescribedintheStandardonpage M34750inModule3Part2.AprimaryreferenceisJohnTillandH.R.Meyer(1983)

RadiologicalAssessment:ATextbookonEnvironmentalDoseAnalysis.NUREG/CR3332,ORNL 5968.Thereferencesintables4.1and4.2onthesepagesaredescribedintheFrontMatter sectionofDOESTD11532002.Thetransfercoefficientsandthebioaccumulationfactor appliedtoeachradionuclidecanbefoundinModule1ofDOESTD11532002,onpageM141 inTable6.5.Thereferencesforthistablearefoundatthebottomofthetable.

28 Article24 F.4,80 InLimitationsfordecommissioningdescribedinTableF3ofthenational reportisasfollows;°RestrictedUse:Ifinstitutionalcontrolsfail,notto exceed1mSv/aor5mSv/a+/-.

Whatisthereasonthatthosetwostandards,1mSv/aand5mSv/a,have beendefined?Couldyouexplainthedifferencebetweenthosetwovalues?

TheNuclearRegulatoryCommissions(NRCs)regulationsinTitle10oftheCodeofFederal Regulations(CFR)20.1403describethecriteriaforlicenseterminationunderrestricted conditions.Oneoftherequirementsforrestricteduse,asnotedin10CFR20.1403(e),isthat residualradioactivityatthesitehasbeenreducedsothatiftheinstitutionalcontrolswereno longerineffect,thereisreasonableassurancethattheTotalEffectiveDoseEquivalent(TEDE) fromresidualradioactivitydistinguishablefrombackgroundtotheaveragememberofthe criticalgroup(thegroupofindividualsreasonablyexpectedtoreceivethegreatestexposureto residualradioactivityforanyapplicablesetofcircumstances)isaslowas(is)reasonably achievableandwouldnotexceedeither100mrem(1mSv)peryearor500mrem(5mSv)per year.Inordertoutilizethe500mrem/y(5mSv)value,licenseesmust:(i)Demonstratethat furtherreductionsinresidualradioactivitynecessarytocomplywiththe100mrem/y(1 mSv/y)valueofparagraph(e)(1)of10CFR20.1403arenottechnicallyachievable,wouldbe prohibitivelyexpensive,orwouldresultinnetpublicorenvironmentalharm;(ii)Make provisionsfordurableinstitutionalcontrols;(iii)Providesufficientfinancialassuranceto enablearesponsiblegovernmententityorindependentthirdparty,includingagovernmental custodianofasite,bothtocarryoutperiodicrechecksofthesitenolessfrequentlythanevery 5yearstoassurethattheinstitutionalcontrolsremaininplaceasnecessarytomeetthe criteriaof10CFR20.1403(b)andtoassumeandcarryoutresponsibilitiesforanynecessary controlandmaintenanceofthosecontrols.Acceptablefinancialassurancemechanismsare thosein10CFR20.1403(c).

29 Article24 F.4,p.78 81 InthenationalreportunderTableF.3"MajorRadiationProtectionStandards" itisnotspecifiedwhetherthereisadoselimitinplaceforthelensoftheeyes andskin(and/orextremities)ofexposedmembersofthepublic.Couldyou pleaseprovideuswithsomeclarificationsonthatmatter?

DepartmentofEnergy(DOE)Order458.1limitstheequivalentdosetothelensoftheeyeto 15mSv(1500mrem)inayearandtheequivalentdosetotheskinorextremitiesto50mSv (5000mrem)inayearformembersofthepublic.TheNuclearRegulatoryCommission(NRC) doesnotspecifyadosetothelensoftheeyeorskinformembersofthepublicbecause significantlocalizedexposurelimitscannotbeexceededwithoutexceedingthetotaleffective doseequivalenttoindividualmembersofthepublicof1mSv(SeeTitle10oftheCodeof FederalRegulations20.1301(a)(1)).

30 Article25 F.5.1.5,

Para2, p87 COMMENT:ItismentionedinF.5.5thatNRCisevaluatingtheeffectof FukushimaAccidenttotheNPPreactors.

PleaseintroducetheeffectofFukushimaAccidenttotheemergency preparednessofISFSI,andpleaseintroducetheemergencyplanningforISFSI.

TheNuclearRegulatoryCommission(NRC)staffdidnotfindsafetyconcernsassociatedwith thedesignsofspentfuelstoragesystems.TheNRCsstaffassessmentcanbefoundinawhite paperonthelessonslearnedfromFukushimaforfacilitiesotherthanpowerreactors.The paperispubliclyavailableandcanbefoundinNRCsAgencywideDocumentsAccessand ManagementSystem(ADAMS)atAccessionNo.ML15042A367.Therefore,therewasno effectoftheFukushimaaccidentonIndependentSpentFuelStorageInstallations(ISFSIs).The requirementsofforanemergencyplanforanISFSIwoulddependonitslocationrelativetoan

pg.9

Id IAEA Article Reference Question/Comment Answer operatingnuclearpowerreactor(contentsofanemergencyplanforspentfuelstorage facilitiesareincludedinTitle10oftheCodeofFederalRegulations72.32).Themajorityofthe ISFSIsarecollocatedwithanoperatingnuclearpowerplant;therefore,thesameemergency planapplies.IfanISFSIislocatedatasitewithoutanoperatingnuclearpowerreactor,an emergencyplanisrequiredforthatfacility.NRChasnotreceivedanapplicationforanew facilitywiththepurposeofmanagingspentnuclearfuelorradioactivewaste,sincethe Fukushimaevent.

31 Article25 F5,page 83 Pleasereportonprogressontransitionfromtheemergencyphaseto decommissioningphasefollowinganaccident.

IntheU.S.aspartoftheNationalResponse Framework(NRF),therearethreephasestoa responsetoaradiologicalincident.ThesearetheEarlyPhase,IntermediatePhaseandthe LatePhase(seehttp://www.remm.nlm.gov/response_phases.htm)TheEarlyandIntermediate PhasesareequivalenttoAustraliasEmergencyPhase.TheLatePhasewouldbeequivalentto AustraliasDecommissioningPhase.ThetransitionfromtheIntermediatePhasetotheLate Phasebeginssometimeafterthecommencementoftheintermediatephaseandproceeds independentlyofintermediatephaseprotectiveactionactivities.Thetransitionis characterizedbyachangeinapproach,fromstrategiespredominantlydrivenbyurgency,to strategiesaimedatbothreducinglongertermexposuresandimprovinglivingconditions..The LatePhaseusesanoptimizationprocesswhichconsidersmanyfactorssuchasanticipated levelsofexposure,futurelanduse,radiologicalimpacts,andnonradiologicalimpacts,while ensuringthatalldosesareaslowas(is)reasonablyachievable(ALARA).Consistentwiththe EnvironmentalProtectionAgencys(EPA)ProtectiveActionGuides(PAG)Manual,whichwas revisedin2013as"DraftforInterimUse,"theoptimizationdecisionmakingwouldconsider currentFederal,state,andlocalregulationsandguidelines.Experiencefromexisting programs,suchastheEPAsSuperfundprogram,theNRCsprocessfordecommissioningand decontaminationtoterminateanuclearfacilitylicenseandothernationalrecommendations maybeusefulfordesigningcleanupandrecoveryeffortsthatcouldapplytoaradiological incident.Basedontheincident,thesecleanuplevelsmaynotbeachievedimmediately,and sotheprocessofcleanupshouldbeflexibleinordertocometothefinalcleanuplevelgoalsin ordertoachievenormalcyandreoccupancybacktotheaffectedcommunitytotheextent possible.AdditionalinformationontheDraftPAGManualcanbefoundat http://www.epa.gov/radiation/rert/pags.html 32 Article25 K.2:p.130 COMMENT:TheU.S.effortstodealwiththelegacyoftheaccidentwillbe moreexplicitlyaddressedwithinthecontextoftheConventiononNuclear Safety"TheU.S.isalsoexamininghowtoaddressthose(Fukushima)lessons learnedrelevanttoradioactivewastestorageandmanagement".Thislast itemisnotaddressedinthecurrentfifthreport.Mentioningsome orientations,evenpreliminary,wouldneverthelessbehelpful.

TheNuclearRegulatoryCommission(NRC)hasrecentlyissuedadraftwhitepaperonthe applicabilityofFukushimalessonslearnedtofacilitiesotherthanpowerreactors.Thepaperis publiclyavailableandcanbefoundinNRCsAgencywideDocumentsAccessandManagement System(ADAMS)atAccessionNo.ML15042A367.Fordrycaskspentfuelstoragesystems, NRCperformedaqualitativeassessmentconsideringthelessonslearnedattheFukushima incidentandcommondesigncharacteristics(e.g.,horizontalversusverticalsystems)ofspent fuelstoragesystemsapprovedforuseintheU.S.NRCdidnotfindsafetyconcernsassociated withthedesignsofspentfuelstoragesystems.Forlowlevelwaste(LLW),thedraftwhite paperdiscussesthefourcommercialdisposalfacilitiesthathavebeenlicensedtoacceptLLW intheU.S.NRCsanalysisnotesthatthesefacilitiesaresitedtoavoiddisruptiveevents throughthelicensingprocess,whichincludes:restrictionsonthewastecharacteristics(e.g.,

limitstoradiologicalconcentrationsandhazardouscharacteristics),sitingcharacteristics(e.g.,

thefourfacilitiesareinlowtomoderateseismiczones,and3ofthe4areinadrypartofthe country),wasteclassification(requiringhigherconcentratedwastetobeburieddeeper),and systemdesign.

33 Article26 F.6.1.1,89 SectionF.6.1.1statesonpublicmeetingforPSDARandLTP.

Whatisthemaintopicinpublicmeeting?

Whataretheregulationsonfeedbackafterpublicmeeting?

ThepublicmeetingonthePostShutdownDecommissioningActivityReport(PSDAR)isforthe NuclearRegulatoryCommission(NRC)topresenttheinformationthatisinthePSDARandto describeNRCsdecommissioningregulatoryprocesstothepublic.Thepublicthenhasthe opportunitytoprovidecommentsonthecontentofthePSDARandthedecommissioning

pg.10

Id IAEA Article Reference Question/Comment Answer regulatoryprocesstoNRCatthemeetingand/orinwriting.NRCanswersthequestionsinthe meetingandaddressesthecommentsinthedocumentationofNRCsreviewofthePSDAR.

ThepublicmeetingontheLicenseTerminationPlan(LTP)isheldbyNRCtodescribethe contentoftheLTPandforNRCtodescribetheregulatoryprocessforreviewingtheLTP, amendingthelicense,andtheprocessforterminatingthelicenseoncetherequirementsof theLTPhavebeensatisfied.ThepublichasanopportunitytoprovidecommentstoNRC wheneveralicenseesubmitsaPSDARoraLTP.Whilethereisnotarequirementinthe regulationsforNRCtoprovideresponsestopublicfeedbackreceivedonthePSDARorLTP, NRCendeavorstoanswerthequestionsaskedinthepublicmeetingsandrespondto summarizedcommentsmadeonthecontentofthesedocuments,andonNRCsregulatory processes,whenNRCdocumentsitslicensingreview.

34 Article26 F.6.1.1,89 Asstatedonthepage89,NRCwillmakePostShutdownDecommissioning ActivityReport(PSDAR)publiclyavailable.IsthePSDARreportgoingtobe availableforthepublicinafullrangeorwillitcontainsomeconfidential parts?IsthesafetyanalysisreportpartofthePSDAR?

Fornuclearpowerplants,thePostShutdownDecommissioningActivityReport(PSDAR)isa descriptionofplanneddecommissioningactivities,ascheduleofthoseactivities,adiscussion ofenvironmentalimpactsrelativetopreviouslyissuedenvironmentalimpactstatementsor environmentalreports,andadecommissioningcostestimate.ThePSDARisnotalicensing documentinthesenseofneedingapprovalbytheNuclearRegulatoryCommission(NRC).

Therefore,thePSDARisnotconsidered,nordoesitcontain,asafetyanalysisreport.The licenseedoessubmitasafetyanalysisreportforchangingtheoperatinglicensetoadefueled license.ThisisalicenseamendmentrequestthatrequiresapprovalbyNRC,butisnotpartof thePSDAR.ThePSDARispubliclyavailableinfulloncesubmittedtoNRCbythelicenseeand processedintoNRCspublicdocumentsystem.

35 Article26 F.6.1.2,91 Page91statesthatNRCinspectsthefacilityduringdecommissioning operationstoensurecompliancewiththeDP.Pleasespecifywhatrelevant criteriaareimplementedinordertodemonstratethecompliancewiththe DP?DoesNRShaveanyrequirementstoupdatetheDPregularlyduring decommissioningtoreflectthepossiblechangesatthefacility?

Facilitiesundergoingdecommissioningareinspectedusingtheapplicableportionsofthe NuclearRegulatoryCommission(NRC)InspectionManual.InspectionManualChapters(IMCs) relevanttodecommissioningincludeIMC2561DecommissioningPowerReactorInspection Program,andIMC2602DecommissioningOversightandInspectionProgramforFuelCycle FacilitiesandMaterialsLicensees.Additionally,theDecommissioningPlan(DP)isreviewedby NRCandmustbeapprovedthroughthelicensingprocess.Assuch,inspectionsarecompleted toensurecompliancewiththeapprovedDP.Itisunderstoodthatchangestothefacilitycould occurduringdecommissioningandthattheDPwouldneedtobeupdated.Often,licensees willincludecertainitemsintheirDPthatcouldbechangedduringdecommissioningwithout additionalNRCapproval.Thesewouldrepresentcategoriesofminorchangesthatdonot changetheoriginalintentoftheDPorcreateadditionalsafetyconcerns.Thesechangesmust bedocumentedandmadeavailableforinspectionbyNRC,ifinitiallyapprovedintheDP.

LicenseeslicensedunderTitle10oftheCodeofFederalRegulations(CFR)part50maybeable tomakelimitedchangestotheDPusingprocessesoutlinedin10CFR50.59(Changes,tests andexperiments).Recordsofchangesper10CFR50.59mustberetainedandmadeavailable forNRCinspection.ModificationstotheDPthatareoutsidethescopeoftheseminor allowablechangeswouldrequireanamendmenttotheDP,whichmustbeapprovedthrough NRClicensingprocess.

36 Article27 p.119 DepartmentofEnergy(DOE)hasindependentauthorityforimportsand certainexportsundertheAEA.Thus,DOEimportsandcertainexportsarenot subjecttoNRCexport/importlicensingregulations.Forexample, NRC’sregulatoryauthoritydoesnotapplytoDOEimportofrecovered disusedsealedsources.Whocontrolsimport/exportofradioactivematerial owningbyDOE?DoesDOEcontrolitsown?

TheDepartmentofEnergy(DOE)anditscontractorsconductimports,andsomeexports,of radioactivematerialpursuanttoDOEsauthorityintheAtomicEnergyActof1954(AEA),as amended,andinaccordancewithDOErequirements,includingthoseinDOEOrder462.1, ImportandExportofCategory1and2RadioactiveSourcesandAggregatedQuantities.

CertainDOEexports(e.g.,exportsofspecialnuclearmaterialandsourcematerialasprovided insection111oftheAEA)aresubjecttoNuclearRegulatoryCommissionexportlicensing requirements.Thisorderdoesnotapplytosourceswithinmilitaryordefenseprogramsor NuclearRegulatoryCommission(NRC)regulatedsourcesandmaterials.

37 Article28 K.7,134 Whatarethemainissuesorchallengesonthesignificantcommercialsealed sourcedisposalindetail?

Disposalofcommercialsealedsourcescontinuestobeachallengefortwomainreasons.First, therearelimitationsonwhattheexistingcommerciallyavailabledisposalsitesintheU.S.will

pg.11

Id IAEA Article Reference Question/Comment Answer acceptbasedonradioactiveinventory,isotopiccontent,andgeographicorigin.Althougha newdisposalfacilityhasopenedandNRChasupdateditsBranchTechnicalPositionon ConcentrationAveragingandEncapsulation,whichincreasedtherecommendedconstraints fordisposalofcertainhighactivitysources(suchashighactivitycobalt60andcesium137) manycommercialactinidesources(suchasamericium241)stillhavenodisposalpathway.

Second,transportationofhigheractivitysourcesthatrequireDepartmentofTransportation TypeBcontainersisexpensiveandlargevolumecontainerscapableoftransportinghigh activitysourcesarelimitedinavailability.TheDepartmentofEnergy(DOE)NationalNuclear SecurityAdministration(NNSA)isworkingwithNRCandAgreementStatestoinvestigate financialassurancestoensurefundingissetasidetomanagesourcesoncetheyreachtheend oftheirworkinglife.DOENNSAhasalsobeendesigningtwoTypeBcontainers;onewas recentlycertifiedbyNRC,whiletheseconddesignwillbesubmittedtoNRCforcertificationin 2016.

38 Article28 p.125 (Section J.1)

Disusedsealedsources

Thereportsstatesthattheregulationsin10CFRParts30,31,and32allowfor useofequipmentrequiringregistrationbutnotrequiringalicenceforuse, andforsourcesanddevicesrequiringneitherregistrationnorlicensingifthey meetcertainrequirements.

Couldyoupleasespecifythesecertainrequirementsinmoredetail?

ThesourcesanddevicesreferredtointheregulationsinTitle10oftheCodeofFederal Regulations(CFR)parts30,31,and32arewhattheNuclearRegulatoryCommission(NRC) referstoasexemptproducts.Theinitialdistributormustapplyforandreceivealicensethat allowsforthedistributionoftheseproductstoindividualsthataregenerallyexemptfrom licensing.Examplesofthesetypesofproductsincludewatchesandgunsightscontaining tritium,andsmokedetectorscontainingamericium.Theinitialdistributorsmustapplyforan NRClicense.Initsreviewofthatapplication,NRCwillperformasafetyevaluationofthe productstoensurethattheproductsmeetthesafetycriteriaintheregulations(examplesare 10CFR32.23and10CFR32.27).

39 Article32 A.4.1.4:

p.8/

B.3.2.1:

p.25K.1:

p.129 InsupportoftheAdministration'sStrategy,DOEisperformingR&Dthatwill addresscriticalscientificandtechnicalissuesassociatedwiththelongterm managementofspentfuel,includingstorage,transportationanddisposal.

IsthereanyattemptinthisR&Dprogramtoproposeareferencetemporay storageconcept,includingstorageofdamagedfuelassemblies,inlinewith theplannedoperationsofapilotinterimstoragefacilityby2021?

TheAdministrationsStrategyistoconstructapilotconsolidatedinterimstoragefacilityby 2021andthenalargerconsolidatedinterimstoragefacilityby2025.Conceptualdesignsof suchfacilitieshavebeenprepared.Thesedesignsreflecttheresearchanddevelopment(R&D) resultsandoperationalexperiencefromdrystorageofspentfuel.R&Disbeingperformedon theinternalportionsofstoragecasksandfuelassembliesinsidethecasks.TheU.S.has longstandingexperiencestoringspentfuelinindependentspentfuelstorageinstallations (ISFSIs).TheNuclearRegulatoryCommission(NRC)ispreparedtoreviewanyapplicationsit receivesforaninterimconsolidatedstoragefacility.Althoughithasnotbeenbuilt,NRChas licensedanISFSI(PrivateFuelStorage)awayfromthereactorsite.

40 Article32 A.4.2.1:

p.10/

B.2.3.2:

p.21 COMMENT:Theterm"concentrationaveraging"isaveragingofthe radionuclideactivitiesinwasteoveritsvolumeoroveritsmass.Inadditionto usingmathematicalaveraging,licensesmayphysicallymixsometypesof LLW".

Additionalinformationcouldbeaddedinordertobetterdefinethesetypes ofLLWandevaluatetheallowableoperatingrangeofthis"blending"method.

U.S.regulations,Title10oftheCodeofFederalRegulations61.55(a)(8),allowaveraging radionuclideconcentrationsinwasteindeterminingwasteclassification.Theregulationsdo notspecifyspecificlimitationsinconcentrationaveraging.TheU.S.developedguidanceina branchtechnicalpositiononconcentrationaveragingandencapsulation(CABTP),whichwas recentlyupdated.TheupdateddocumentisavailableintheNuclearRegulatoryCommissions (NRCs)AgencywideDocumentsAccessandManagementSystem.TheCABTPhastwo volumes,ML12254B065andML12326A611.Thedocumentprovidesguidanceonappropriate volumesandmassestouseincalculatingaverageconcentrations.NRCalsorecognizesthat lowlevelwaste(LLW),suchasionexchangeresins,maybeblendedresultinginanessentially homogeneousmixture,wheretheaverageconcentrationofthefinalmixtureisusedforwaste classificationpurposes.TheCABTPprovidesguidanceforwhenwastemaybeblendedand howandwhentodemonstratethatwasteisadequatelyblended.TheCABTPalso recommendsconstraintsfordiscreteitemsbasedontheirsizeandtheamountor concentrationofradioactivitytheycontain.Thesize,amountofradioactivityand/or concentrationhelpsdefinethehazardtoaninadvertentintruderwhomightdirectlyhandle thediscreteitem.MoredetailedinformationonLLWblendingcanalsobefoundintheCABTP.

pg.12

Id IAEA Article Reference Question/Comment Answer 41 Article32 A.4.2.2:

p.11/

B.4.1:p.30 GlobalLaserEnrichment(GLE)proposedoperatinganewlaserenrichment facilitythatcouldprovidecompensationtoDOEforitsDUhexafluoride inventories.Whatistheanticipatedscheduleforthisoperationandtheratio ofDOE'sDUthatwouldescapefromtheDOEinventories?WouldGLEthen bedirectlyinchargeofthemanagementoftheultimateDUproducedafter enrichment,asacommerciallygeneratedwaste?

InJuly2013,theDepartmentofEnergy(DOE)releasedarequestforoffers(RFO)forits remaininginventoriesofhighassaydepleteduraniumhexafluoride(DUF6).TheRFOspecified thenaturaluraniumcreatedfromtheDUF6couldnotenterthemarketbefore2019and wouldbelimitedto2,000metrictonsnaturaluraniumequivalentperyear.Theproposed LaserEnrichmentFacilitywouldreenrichtheDUF6,creatingnaturaluraniumintheformof UF6thatwouldthenbesoldintotheuraniummarket.Commercialnegotiationswere originallyexpectedtobeconcludedinearly2014,buttheyarestillongoing.No announcementshavebeenmadeconcerningwhenanagreementmightbereached.

42 Article32 A.4.2.3:

p.11/

D.2.2:p.39 TherearecurrentlyfouroperationalLLWdisposalsitesintheU.S,including thenewFederalWasteDisposalFacility(FWF)inTexas.Itissaidthatforthis disposalsite,"allhazardousandradioactivewasteisencapsulatedinarobust linerandcoversystem,faturingasevenfootthicklinersystem,which includesaonefootthicklayerofreinforcedconcreteandaRCRAcompliant geosyntheticlayer".

ArethereinthisFWFsitesignificantdifferenceswithregardtothethree othermentionedoperationalsites?Woulditallowdisposalofoutofstandard wastepackagesthatcouldnotbeacceptedintheothersites?

TheFederalWasteFacilityisonecomponentofthedisposalfacilityoperatedbyWasteControl Specialists,LLC(WCS)nearAndrews,Texas.ForadescriptionofallWCSfacilitiespleasesee http://www.wcstexas.com/facilities/.Thefacilitybenefitsfromfavorablesitecharacteristics suchassignificantdepthtogroundwater,aridclimate,sparsepopulation,androbust, engineering.Whilethereissignificantvariabilityinthesitecharacteristicsofthefour commercialsites,siteperformanceofeachisevaluatedontheindividualcharacteristicsand engineeredcharacteristicsofeach.Anydecisiontoallowdisposalofoutofstandardwaste packageswouldhavetobebasedonasitespecificsafetyassessmentandapprovedbythe applicableregulatoryauthority.InthecaseofWCS,thisistheTexasCommissionon EnvironmentalQuality(TCEQ).MorespecificinformationregardingtheWCSFWFmayalsobe requestedfromTCEQathttp://www.tceq.state.tx.us.

43 Article32 B.3,23 "It'sstatedthatspentnuclearfuelsarebeingstoredonthesiteofNPPsthat arealreadydecommissioned.

Isthereanyoppositionoflocalcommunities?

Ifthereisopposition,howdoesUScopewithit?"

Thereis,onoccasion,somelocaloppositiontostorageofspentfuelinanIndependentSpent FuelStorageInstallation(ISFSI)onthesiteofadecommissionednuclearpowerplantfrom somepublicinterestgroupsandindividualcitizens.Thepubliccanprovideinputonits positionsduringthehearingprocessforanISFSIlicenseandtherulemakingprocessfor certificationofadrycaskstoragedesign.Inaddition,atanytimeduringlicensing/certification, construction,oroperationofanISFSIordrystoragecask,anymemberofthepublicmay reportsafetyconcernstotheNuclearRegulatoryCommission(NRC)throughvariousmeans (e.g.,speakingwithNRCstaff,callingtheNRCSafetyHotline,submittingaconcerninwriting, submittingaconcernviatheNRCpublicwebsite).NRCwillevaluatetheconcernandrespond backtotheconcernedindividualororganization.

44 Article32 B.3.1,p.24 Aretheresafetysignificantproblemsidentifiedduringcommissioningand operationofdrySFstoragefacilities?

Sincethefirstdryspentfuelstoragefacilitywentintooperationinthe1980s,therehavenot beenanysignificantsafetyproblemsidentifiedduringlicensingoroperationofdryspentfuel storagefacilities.

45 Article32 B.3.1,p23 Currently,mostofspentfuelsinUSnuclearpowerplantsarestoredinthe spentfuelpoolinsideplantsorinthedrystoragefacilitiesclosetotheplants.

WhatistheUSgovernmentsplantograduallytransportspentfuelinwet poolordrystoragefacilitytothecentralizedfacilities?Whataretherelated policyandprogress?

Whatarethemainfactorsthatneedtobeconsideredwhenchosenspent fuelstorageoptionindifferentalternativese.g.inwetpoolorindrystorage facility,decentralizedineachNPPorincentralizedfacility?

Whatarethespecificregulatoryrequirementstothedifferentspentfuel storageoptions?

PertheAdministrationsStrategyontheManagementandDisposalofUsedNuclearFueland HighlevelRadioactiveWaste(2013),theAdministrationcurrentlyplanstoimplementa programoverthenext10yearsthat:sites,designsandlicenses,constructsandbegins operationsofapilotinterimstoragefacilityby2021withaninitialfocusonacceptingused nuclearfuelfromshutdownreactorsites;advancestowardthesitingandlicensingofalarger interimstoragefacilitytobeavailableby2025thatwillhavesufficientcapacitytoprovide flexibilityinthewastemanagementsystemandallowsforacceptanceofenoughusednuclear fueltoreduceexpectedgovernmentliabilities;andmakesdemonstrableprogressonthesiting andcharacterizationofrepositorysitestofacilitatetheavailabilityofageologicrepositoryby 2048.FullimplementationofthisStrategywillrequirelegislationtoenabletimely implementationoftheprogramelementsdescribedabove.Tolaythefoundationfor implementationoftheStrategy,theDepartmentofEnergyhasbegunplanningforlargescale transportationofspentfuel.Ongoingactivitiesincludedevelopmentofatransportationroute planningtool;anddevelopmentofarailcaskfortransportoffuelfromthereactorsitestoa consolidatestoragefacility.Severalcaskdesignscurrentlyexistforthetransportofcanistered fuel.

pg.13

Id IAEA Article Reference Question/Comment Answer IntheU.S.,ISFSIsarelicensedbytheNuclearRegulatoryCommission(NRC)separatelyfroma nuclearpowerplantundereitherasitespecificoragenerallicense.Spentfuelpoolstorage colocatedatanuclearpowerplantispromulgatedinTitle10oftheCodeofFederal Regulations(CFR)part50,DomesticLicensingofProductionandUtilizationFacilitiesanddry storagesafetyregulationsarein10CFRpart72,LicensingRequirementsfortheIndependent StorageofSpentNuclearFuelandHighLevelRadioactiveWaste.Thelicensingandtechnical requirementsforanISFSI,whethercentralizedordecentralized,arethesamebutthelicensing processisdifferent.TheregulationsforISFSIscanbefoundin10CFRpart72.NRCreview criteriaforadrystoragecaskforusewithagenerallicenseandsitespecificlicensecanbe foundinNUREG1536,StandardReviewPlanforDryCaskStorageSystems (http://www.nrc.gov/readingrm/doccollections/nuregs/staff/sr1536/)andNUREG1567, StandardReviewPlanforSpentFuelDryStorageFacilities(http://www.nrc.gov/reading rm/doccollections/nuregs/staff/sr1567/),respectively.Atahighlevel,theISFSImustbe designedtoensurethat,duringnormaloperationsandafteranypotentialaccidentornatural phenomena:offsitedosesdonotexceedthelimitsinNRCregulations(10CFR72.104and 72.106,CriteriaforradioactivematerialsineffluentsanddirectradiationfromanISFSIor

[MonitoredRetrievableStorage]MRSandControlledareaofanISFSIorMRS, respectively)),theISFSIremainssubcritical,andthetemperaturesifISFSIcomponents, includingthespentfuelremainbelowmaterialtemperaturelimits,unlessthosecomponents arenotconsideredinevaluatingoffsitedosesorcriticalitysafety.Theregulationsforawet storagefacilitythatisnotcolocatedatanuclearpowerplantisthesameasadrystorage facilitynotcolocatedatanuclearpowerplantandwouldhavetomeettherequirementsin 10CFRpart72.

46 Article32 B.3.1,p23 p24 ItismentionedinB.3.1thattheISFSIisuseddecades.

PleaseintroducethetechnicalrequirementsofUSNRCtospentfuelthat storedinISFSI.

Howtoassesstheintegrityofspentfuelduringitsstorageperiod?Whatkind ofmonitoringmeasuresisneededduringthestorageperiod£¿ WhoistheowneroftheISFSI,thelicenseeorthefacilityoperator?

Thetechnicalrequirementsforstorageofcommercialspentfuelinanindependentspentfuel storageinstallationaresetbytheNuclearRegulatoryCommission(NRC).Theserequirements arelocatedinTitle10oftheCodeofFederalRegulations(CFR)Part72,Licensing RequirementsfortheIndependentStorageofSpentNuclearFuel,HighLevelRadioactive Waste,andReactorRelatedGreaterthanClassCWaste.Applicationoftheserequirements byNRCarediscussedinthestandardreviewplansthatNRCusestoevaluateapplicationsfor spentfuelstorage,NUREG1536,StandardReviewPlanforDryCaskStorageSystemssee:

http://www.nrc.gov/readingrm/doccollections/nuregs/staff/sr1536/andNUREG1567, StandardReviewPlanforSpentFuelDryStorageFacilitiessee:http://www.nrc.gov/reading rm/doccollections/nuregs/staff/sr1567/Theserequirementsinclude10CFR72.122(h)which requiresprotectionoffuelcladdingagainstgrossrupture,unlessthespentfuelisotherwise confinedsuchthatdegradationofthefuelduringstoragewillnotposeoperationalsafety problemswithrespecttoitsremovalfromstorage.Additionally,10CFR72.122(l)requires readyretrievalofspentfuel.Finally,10CFR72.236,Specificrequirementsforspentfuel storagecaskapprovalandfabricationcontainssubpartswhichrequirespecificcharacteristics ofthefuelthatistobestored,suchastheburnup.NRCregulationscontainrequirementsfor fuelsubcriticalityandthatthecaskmustbedesignedtostorespentfuelsafelyfortheterm proposed,aswellaspermitmaintenanceasrequired.NRChasreliedonresultsfromthe Idahocaskdemonstration(NUREGCR/6831,ExaminationofSpentPWRFuelRodsAfter15 YearsinDryStorage,NRCsAgencywideDocumentsAccessandManagementSystem (ADAMS)AccessionNo.ML032731021)andtheNRCsInterimStaffGuidance(ISG)11, Revision3,CladdingConsiderationsfortheTransportationandStorageofSpentFuel,(see www.nrc.gov/readingrm/doccollections/isg/isg11R3.pdf)tolicensethedrystorageoflow burnupspentfuelforbothaninitiallicensetermaswellasforrenewalterms.NRChasalso issuedguidanceforitsreviews,providedinISG11,Revision3,toreviewtheexpected behaviorofhighburnupspentfuel(assemblyaverageburnupexceeding45GWD/MTU)forup

pg.14

Id IAEA Article Reference Question/Comment Answer to20yearsindrystorageinthesamemanneraslowburnupspentfuel.NRCisexpectingto obtainconfirmationofhighburnupspentfuelcladdingbehaviorforstorageperiodsbeyond20 yearsthroughademonstrationcaskdiscussedfurtherinISG-24,TheUseofa DemonstrationProgramasaSurveillanceToolforConfirmationofIntegrityforContinued StorageofHighBurnupFuelbeyond20Years(seeADAMSAccessionNo.ML14058B166).

Additionally,applicantscanperformleadsystemexaminationsthatwouldprovidedataonthe caskanditsinternalsaftertheinitialstorageperiod.Thesewouldindirectlyconfirmthe conditionofthefuelwhileitwasinstorage.Duringitsinitiallicensingperioddrycaskstorage systemshaveatleastonemonitoringsystem(e.g.,pressure,temperature,ordose).The licenseholdermustdemonstratehowsuchsystemswillbeusedtoprovideinformation regardingpossibleoffnormalevents,andwhatsurveillanceactionsmaybenecessaryto ensurethesesystemsfunctionproperly.Detailedmaintenanceandinspectionproceduresfor thesemonitoringsystemsaredevelopedandimplementedbythelicenseholder.Inaddition, thelicenseholderconductsperiodicvisualsurfaceandweldinspectionsonreadilyaccessible surfaces.NUREG1536,StandardReviewPlanforSpentFuelDryStorageSystemsataGeneral LicenseFacility,providesadditionalinformationondrycaskmaintenanceandinspection programs.NRCmayrenewanindependentspentfuelstorageinstallationlicenseordrycask storagecertificateofcomplianceforatermnottoexceed40yearsasspecifiedin10CFR72.42 and72.240,Durationoflicense;renewal,andConditionsforspentfuelstoragecask renewal,respectively.Therequirementsforrenewalincludedemonstrationthatdegradation willbeaddressedbyeither(1)analysesorcalculationstoshowthatagingeffectswillnot resultinalossofintendedfunctionofanimportanttosafetysystem,or(2)implementationof agingmanagementprograms(AMPs)thatwillmanageissuesassociatedwithagingofthese systems.AMPsconsistofconditionmonitoring,performancemonitoring,mitigationorother preventionactivitiesforeachimportanttosafetysystem,uponconsiderationofitsmaterialof constructionandserviceenvironment.Therefore,theinspectionandmonitoring requirements,includingmethodortechnique,frequencyofinspections,andacceptance criteriaaredeterminedbythespecificagingmechanismcausingthedegradation,aswellas accessibilityandoccupationaldoseconstraintsforthesystem.NUREG1927,Standard ReviewPlanforRenewalofSpentFuelDryCaskStorageSystemLicensesandCertificatesof Compliance,see:http://www.nrc.gov/readingrm/doccollections/nuregs/staff/sr1927/

providesguidanceontheessentialelementsofanAMP;however,itdoesnotidentifyspecific inspectionfrequenciesormethods.TheseAMPdetailsareproposedbyapplicantsand evaluatedbyNRConacasebycasebasis.Forinstance,NRChasevaluatedAMPsfor reinforcedconcretestructuresagainsttherequirementsoftheAmericanConcreteInstitute (ACI)standard349.3R.Thestandardrequiresvisualinspectionsofaccessibleabovegrade areasoftheconcretestructureataminimumintervalof5years,andbelowgradeareasata minimumof10years.Additionalrequirementsincludethemonitoringofgroundwaternear thestorageinstallationforthepresenceofaggressivechemicals.Weldedstainlesssteel canistershavebeenrequiredtobeinspectedon5yearintervalsforcorrosionproductsthat maybeindicatorsoflocalizedcorrosionandstresscorrosioncracking.Theinspectionmay involvetheuseofvisualtestingperrequirementsofASMEBoilerandPressureVesselCode, SectionV,followedbysurfaceand/orvolumetricinspectiontechniquesconsistentwiththe requirementsofASMESectionXI.ThelicenseeistheowneroftheIndependentSpentFuel StorageInstallation(ISFSI).IntheeventthelicenseehascontractedoperationoftheISFSI,the licenseeisstillresponsibleforitssafeoperation.

47 Article32 B.3.1,p23; B.3.2,p24 COMMENT:ItisnotmentionedthestatusofMOXfuel(spentfuel)intheUS NationalReport.PleasegivemoreinformationabouttheMOXfuel,suchas theMOXfuelinCatawba1.

ThefuelandcladexaminationresultsconductedbyOakRidgeNationalLaboratory(ORNL)of thepostirradiationexamination(PIE)workoftheMixedOxide(MOX)fuelrodswere documentedintheMOXPIEFuelandCladExaminationFinalReportdatedSeptember30,

pg.15

Id IAEA Article Reference Question/Comment Answer ThePostirradiationExamination(PIE)fortheirradiatedMOXfuelfrom Catawba1wasconductedbyOakRidgeNationalLaboratory.Pleasegive moreinformationabouttheprogressandresultsoftheMOXfuel examination.

2013.Thereportisnotpublicallyavailable.ThepurposeofthePIEwastoverifythe performanceofthefuelrodscontainedintheMOXLeadTestAssemblyandtoproducedata thatcanbeusedforfuelqualification.

48 Article32 B.3.2.1,

Para2, p25 ItismentionedinB.3.2.1thatoneofBRCs£¨Blueribbon Commission£©suggestionsistopromptefforttopreparefortheeventual largescaletransportofspentnuclearfuelandHLWtoconsolidatedstorage anddisposalfacilitieswhensuchfacilitiesbecomeavailable.

Whatisthemeaningoftheeventuallargescaletransport?Andwhatspecial requirementsfortheeventuallargescaletransportshouldbemet?

TheBlueRibbonCommissiononAmericasNuclearFuturesreferencetoeventuallargescale transportreferstofutureshippingcampaignstoremovespentnuclearfuelfromonsite storageatmorethan70nuclearpowerplantsitestoapilotinterimstoragefacility,a consolidatedinterimstoragefacility,ortoageologicrepository.Specialrequirementsfor eventuallargescaletransportinclude:trainingandtechnicalassistancetostatesandNative AmericanTribesthroughwhosejurisdictionsspentnuclearfuelwillbetransported;specialized equipmentthatwillneedtobedesigned,fabricatedandtested,includingarailcarcompliant withtheAssociationofAmericanRailroadsS2043standard;andtransportationcaskswith certificatesofcompliancefromtheNuclearRegulatoryCommission.

49 Article32 B.3.3,27 Itisstated:thefinalgenericEISandrulewillbepublishedonSeptember 2014.SomeadditioninformationonthecontentandmainfeaturesoftheEIS andrulewouldbewelcomedduringthenationalpresentation.

TheGenericEnvironmentalImpactStatement(GEIS)identifiestheenvironmentalimpacts fromcontinuedstorageofspentnuclearfuelforthreetimeperiods-60yearsbeyondthe operatinglifeofareactor,160yearsbeyondtheoperatinglifeandindefinitestorageinthe casewheretherewouldbenogeologicrepositoryfordisposition.Environmentalimpactsare identifiedforbothatreactorandawayfromreactorcentralizedstorage.Thefinalrulenotes thattheenvironmentalimpactsofcontinuedstoragecanbegenericallydeterminedand, therefore,thoseimpactsdonotneedtobedeterminedonasitespecificbasis.TheU.S.will elaboratemoreonthisduringtheNationalCountryPresentation.

50 Article32 B.3.4,p.27 DoestheUSAconsiderrestartofthecommercialtreatmentofSForinnear futurewillconductonlyscientificresearch,relatedtotreatment?

ThecurrentU.S.practiceisaoncethroughfuelcyclemeaningthatallfuelrodsarestored eitherinpoolordrycaskstoragewhichisplannedtobefollowedbydisposalinadeep geologicrepository.However,thisdoesnotimpedetheDepartmentofEnergy(DOE)from pursuingactiveResearchandDevelopment(R&D)onusednuclearfuelrecyclingbecauseit mayofferimprovementstothecurrentfuelcycle.Therearemanydifferentwaysfuelrods mayberecycledandthecostsdependonanumberoffactors.Suchinformationisavailablein aStudy (https://inlportal.inl.gov/portal/server.pt/community/nuclear_science_and_technology/337/f uel_cycle_evaluation_and_screening_overview)recentlysponsoredbyDOEtoconducta systematicevaluationofadvancednuclearfuelcycles,includingthosewhichmayrecycleused nuclearfuel.TheStudytakesintoaccountmultiplecriteriaincludingeconomicsandcosts associatedwithdifferentfuelcycleoptions.Thebenefitsandchallengesassociatedwiththese optionsarebeingexaminedtobetterprioritizeandguidelongtermnuclearfuelcycleR&D efforts.Aspartofthisactivity,DOEhasbeeninvestigatingdifferentpotentialfuelcycle strategiesasdiscussedintheNuclearEnergyR&DRoadmapReporttoCongress,accessible fromDOEswebsiteathttp://energy.gov/ne/mission.

51 Article32 B.4,Para 6,p28 COMMENT:ItismentionedinB.4thataDraftEnvironmentalImpact StatementforGTCCLLWhasbeenpublishedbyDOE.

PleaseintroducethetechnicalrouteforGTCCLLWdisposalinUSA.

DOEcontinuestoworkontheFinalEnvironmentalImpactStatementfortheDisposalofGTCC LLWandGTCClikewaste.TheDepartmentofEnergyanticipatespublicationofthis EnvironmentalImpactStatementincalendaryear2015.AsrequiredbyEnergyPolicyAct2005 (EPAct05),DOEwillsubmitareporttotheU.S.CongressandawaitCongressionalactionbefore makingafinaldecisiononadisposaloption(s)forGTCCLLW.

52 Article32 D.2,36 SectionD.2describestheradioactivewastemanagementfacilities.

Whatisthestatus,includingfeaturesandsoon,ofradioactivewaste incinerationfacilitiescurrentlyoperatedinU.S.?

ThereisnorequirementintheU.S.forradioactivewasteincinerationforvolumereduction.

Incineratorsareuncommon.Theiremissionsareregulatedunderstrictenvironmentallawsfor pollutantsmakingthemcostlyfacilitiestoconstructwhenthereislittlemarketdemand.

Wastegeneratorsmayopttosoincineratewasteifthereareoverallcostsavings,butitis usuallynoteconomical.Incinerationisoneofseveralthermaltechnologiesemployedbya fewU.S.companiesforsomelowlevelradioactivewastestreamsthatrequiretreatmentto destroyhazardouschemicalsinthewaste(mixedwaste).TheDepartmentofEnergyhasno

pg.16

Id IAEA Article Reference Question/Comment Answer incineratorsforradioactivewasteandutilizesthesecommercialfirms.EnergySolutionsInc.

operatesanincineratoratitsBearCreekProcessingfacilityinOakridge,Tennessee.Their websiteis:http://www.energysolutions.com/wastemanagement/facilities/

Inaddition,EnergySolutionsErwinResinSolutionsFacilityinTennessee(formerlyStudsvik) utilizesaThermalOrganicReduction(THOR)processfordewateringresins(notincineration).

Theirwebsiteis:http://www.energysolutions.com/wastemanagement/facilities/.PermaFix DiversifiedScientificServices,Inc.(DSSI)inKingston,Tennesseehasathermal(boilernot incinerator)forliquidradioactivewaste.Theirwebsiteis:http://www.perma fix.com/facilities/pf_nuclear_kingston/default.aspx.Finally,thePermaFixNorthwestfacilityin Richland,Washingtonoperatesathermaltreatmentfacilityformixedwaste.Theirwebsiteis:

http://www.permafix.com/facilities/pf_nuclear_richland/.

53 Article32 p.21 Itwasmentionedthatifownershipofradioactivewasteistransferredfrom DOEtoacommercialentitylicensedbyNRC,thewasteisthensubjecttoNRC regulation(andclassification).DoesitmeanthatDOEandNRChavedifferent classificationofwaste?

Yes,theNuclearRegulatoryCommission(NRC)hasrequirements,setforthinTitle10ofthe CodeofFederalRegulations61.55,concerningclassificationoflowlevelwaste(LLW)asClass A,BorCLLW,fordisposalinfacilitieslicensedbyAgreementStates(orpotentiallyNRC).Such licensedLLWdisposalfacilitiesprimarilydisposeofLLWgeneratedbycommercialentities, althoughcertainfacilitiesalsoacceptwastefromtheDepartmentofEnergy(DOE)ifthewaste meetstheapplicableclassificationandwasteacceptancecriteriaforthelicenseddisposal facility.DOEmanagesanddisposesofmostoftheLLWforwhichitisresponsibleinexisting DOELLWdisposalfacilities.InaccordancewithDOEOrder435.1,Manual435.11andrelated guidance,DOEperformssitespecificperformanceassessmentstakingintoaccountspecific sitecharacteristicstodeterminewhatwastecanbesafelydisposedofataDOEsite.DOELLW disposalrequirementsandperformanceobjectivesarecomparabletothoseofNRC,although DOEdoesnotuseNRCs(ClassA,B,orC)LLWclassificationapproach.

54 Article32 p.25 InJanuary2013,theAdministrationreleaseditsStrategyfortheManagement andDisposalofUsedNuclearFuelandHighLevelRadioactiveWaste.Oneof themainassumptionoftheStrategyistomakedemonstrableprogressonthe sitingandcharacterizationofrepositorysitestoprovidefortheavailabilityof ageologicrepositoryby2048.IsthereanypossibilitythatYuccaMountain willbethatrepositoryasreferredintheStrategy?

TheSecretaryofEnergyhasdeterminedthatYuccaMountainisnotaworkableoptionfora geologicrepositoryduetolackofpublicacceptability.Anyrepositoryforspentnuclearfuel andhighlevelwastemustbebasednotonlyonsoundsciencebutalsoonachievingpublic acceptanceatthelocal,stateandtriballevels.

55 Article32 Sub sections B.3.3 (page26 and27)

Aboutthe"ContinuedStorageofSpentNuclearFuel"tobeimplementedby therevisionof10CFR51.23.CouldtheUSexplainsalittlemorethemeaning ofthisrule,itsinterfasewiththelicensingprocessandlicenserenewaland safetyrequirementssetsby10CFR72forISFSFfacilities?

The2014revisionofTitle10oftheU.S.CodeofFederalRegulations(CFR)51.23codifiesthe NuclearRegulatoryCommissions(NRC)genericdeterminationregardingtheenvironmental impactsofthecontinuedstorageofspentnuclearfuelbeyondareactor'slicensedlifefor operationandpriortoultimatedisposal.NRCpreparedafinalgenericenvironmentalimpact statement(EIS)(NUREG2157,GenericEnvironmentalImpactStatementforContinued StorageofSpentNuclearFuelsee:http://www.nrc.gov/readingrm/doc collections/nuregs/staff/sr2157foradetailedevaluationoftheenvironmentalimpactsof continuedstorageofspentnuclearfuelbeyondthelicensedlifeforoperationofareactor.

NRCconcludedthatelementsofthisevaluationwereapplicablegenericallytoallsites.NRCs findingswereincorporatedbyfinalrulein10CFR51.23.Thefinalrulealsoclarifiesthatthe genericdeterminationappliestolicenserenewalforanindependentspentfuelstorage installation(ISFSI),reactorconstructionpermits,andearlysitepermits.Thefinalruleclarifies howthegenericdeterminationwillbeusedinfutureNRCenvironmentalreviews,andmakes changestoimproveclarity.Finally,thefinalrulemakesconformingchangestothe determinationsontheenvironmentaleffectsofrenewingtheoperatinglicenseofanuclear powerplanttoaddressissuesrelatedtotheonsitestorageofspentnuclearfuelandoffsite radiologicalimpactsofspentnuclearfuelandhighlevelwastedisposal.NRC'slicensing proceedingsfornuclearreactorsandISFSIshavehistoricallyrelieduponthegeneric determinationin10CFR51.23tosatisfytheagency'sobligationsundertheNational EnvironmentalPolicyAct(NEPA)withrespecttothenarrowareaoftheenvironmentalimpacts

pg.17

Id IAEA Article Reference Question/Comment Answer ofcontinuedstorage.Environmentalreviewsforfuturereactorandspentfuelstoragefacility licensingactionswillnotseparatelyanalyzethebasisfortheenvironmentalimpactsof continuedstorageand,asdiscussedin10CFR51.23,theimpactdeterminationsfromthe genericenvironmentalimpactstatementareconsideredincorporatedintotheseEISs.

56 Article 32.1.1 p.16 (Section A.4.9 TableA4)

Nationalpolicyforspentfuelmanagement

InJanuary2013,theAdministrationreleaseditsStrategyforthe ManagementandDisposalofUsedNuclearFuelandHighLevelRadioactive Waste.Accordingtothisdocument,theAdministrationplanstodevelopa pilotinterimstoragefacilityby2021,aconsolidated(centralized)storage facilityby2025,andageologicalrepositoryby2048.

Arethereanyinterdependenciestobetakenintoaccountduringsitingof thesefacilities,e.g.inordertominimisefuturespentfueltransportationall acrossthecountry?

TheAdministrations"StrategyfortheManagementandDisposalofUsedNuclearFueland HighLevelRadioactiveWaste"(2013)endorsedtheBlueRibbonCommissiononAmericas NuclearFuturesrecommendationtopursueaconsentbasedsitingprocessfornuclear storageanddisposalfacilities.TheStrategyacknowledgesthatOneoftheconsequencesofa consentbasedsitingprocesscouldbetheneedtohavemorethanonestoragefacilityand/or repository,butalsostatesthataconsolidatedstoragefacilitycouldbecolocatedwiththe pilotfacilityortheeventualgeologicrepository.

57 Article 32.1.1 p.21 (Section B.2.3.1)

Nationalpolicyforspentfuelmanagement

TheUnitedStatesdeclaredamoratoriumondomesticspentfuelreprocessing in1977.Themoratoriumwasrescindedin1981,butcommercialreprocessing neverresumed.Withinthelastfewyears,theDepartmentofEnergy(DOE) hasbegunusingthetermusedfueltoacknowledgethat,inthefuture,the materialmayhaveresidualvaluethroughrecycling,althoughU.S.lawuses thetermspentnuclearfuel.

Istheusageofthetermusedfuelincompliancewith,oraconsequenceof, therecommendationsoftheBlueRibbonCommission(BRC),e.g.inorderto retainthefutureoptionofaclosedfuelcycle?Isoptionalreprocessingtobe seeninthelightofconsolidated(centralised)storageofspentfuel?

Thetermsusedfuelandspentnuclearfuelareusedinterchangeably.ThecurrentU.S.

practiceisaoncethroughfuelcycle,meaningthatallfuelrodsarestoredeitherinpoolordry caskstoragewhichisplannedtobefollowedbydisposalinadeepgeologicrepository.Evenif aclosedfuelcycleweretobeadoptedinthefuture,permanentgeologicdisposalwillstillbe requiredforresidualhighlevelradioactivewaste.Cost,nonproliferation,nationalsecurity, environmentalissues,andtechnologylimitationsaresomeoftheconcernsthatwouldneedto beaddressedbeforeanyfuturedecisiontoclosetheU.S.fuelcyclethroughtheuseof recyclingwouldbemade.Thesefactorsreinforcethelikelihoodthattheoncethroughfuel cyclewillcontinueatleastforthenextfewdecades.ThisdoesnotimpedetheDepartmentof Energy(DOE)frompursuingactivelyResearchandDevelopment(R&D)onusednuclearfuel recycling.Therearemanydifferentwaysfuelrodsmayberecycledandthecostsdependona numberoffactors.SuchinformationisavailableinastudyrecentlysponsoredbyDOEto conductasystematicevaluationofadvancednuclearfuelcycles,includingthosewhichmay recycleusednuclearfuel.

58 Article 32.1.1 p.2526 (Section B.3.2.1)

Nationalpolicyforspentfuelmanagement

InJanuary2013,theAdministrationreleaseditsStrategyforthe ManagementandDisposalofUsedNuclearFuelandHighLevelRadioactive Waste.Thedocumentoutlinesaplanthatmakesdemonstrableprogresson thesitingandcharacterizationofrepositorysitestofacilitatetheavailability ofageologicrepositoryby2048.

Howisthetermdemonstrableprogressdefinedandevaluatedinpractice, whohasdefinedit,andarethereanylegalconsequencesincaseofnon compliance?

Demonstrableprogressisnotadefinedterm,buttheDepartmentofEnergy(DOE)is confidentthatitwillbeabletomoveforwardinitsinitialsitingapproachtoallowforan interimstoragefacilitytotakethewastefromtheshutdownreactorsintheU.S.Subsequent tothat,theschedulecallsforalargerconsolidatedstoragefacilitytoopenseveralyearslater.

TheAdministrationsupportsanapproachtosystemdesignthatintegratesconsentbased sitingprinciplesandmakesprogressindemonstratingthefederalcommitmenttoaddressing usednuclearfuelandhighlevelwastedisposal.Thetermsusedfuelandspentnuclear fuelaresometimesusedinterchangeably.Theobjectiveistoimplementaflexiblewaste managementsystemincrementallyinordertoensuresafeandsecureoperations,gaintrust amongstakeholders,andadaptoperationsbasedonlessonslearned.TheStrategyisto proceed,aftertheenactmentofnewlegislation,withastepwise,adaptableconsentbased processresultingincharacterizing,siting,licensingandconstructingarepositoryby2048.A consentbasedprocesstobeeffectiveneedstobeflexibleandadaptiveratherthanforcedby rigiddeadlines.

59 Article 32.1.1 p.89 (Section A.4.1.4)

Nationalpolicyforspentfuelmanagement

Inseveralsections,theNationalReportreferstotheDepartmentofEnergy (DOE)researchanddevelopment(R&D)activities,forexample:

-onpages89:TheprincipalfocusofDOEsR&Dactivitiesistodevelopa suiteofoptionsthatwillenablefuturedecisionmakerstomakeinformed choicesabouthowbesttomanagethespentfuelfromreactors.Anadditional Advancedandinnovativerecyclingofusednuclearfuelisbeinginvestigatedbythe DepartmentofEnergy(DOE),andhasbeenrecognizedasatopicinwhichDOEhasan importantleadershiprole.Itinvolvesscientists,engineers,professorsandstudentsfrom nationallaboratoriesanduniversitypartners.DOErecognizestheimportanceofmaintaining theU.S.knowledgeandexpertiseaccumulatedoverthepast50yearsinreprocessing technologies.Inaddition,ResearchandDevelopment(R&D)inadvancedrecycling

pg.18

Id IAEA Article Reference Question/Comment Answer objectiveisthedemonstrationoftechnologiesnecessarytoallowcommercial deploymentofsolutionsforthesustainablemanagementofspentfuelthatis safe,economic,andsecure.

-onpages2728:DOErecognizesthatresearchanddevelopment(R&D)of sustainablefuelcyclesandwastemanagementactivitiesareimportantto supporttheexpansionofnuclearenergy.DOEisconductingR&Dinnuclear fuelandwastemanagementtechnologiesthatwillenableasafe,secure,and economicfuelcycle.ThelongtermR&Dstrategyistoinvestigatethe technicalchallengesindevelopingsustainablesystemsthatreducewaste whileimprovingresourceutilizationandsafety.

-onpage106:DOEhasdevelopedandisexecutingaresearchand development(R&D)programthatwilladdresscriticalscientificandtechnical issuesassociatedwiththelongtermmanagementofusednuclearfuel.DOE isidentifyingalternativesandconductingscientificresearchandtechnology developmenttoenablelongtermstorage,transportation,andgeologic disposalofusednuclearfuelandradioactivewastesgeneratedbyexisting andfuturenuclearfuelcycles.Theresearchfocusesonsustainablefuelcycle optionsandtechnologiesthatminimizewastegeneration,improvesafety, andcomplementinstitutionalmeasuresinlimitingproliferationrisk.Themain objectiveinthisR&Distodevelopasuiteofoptionsthatwillenablefuture decisionmakerstomakeinformedchoicesabouthowbesttomanagethe usedfuelfromreactors.ThisR&Dwillbeperformedonfunctionsinstorage, transportation,anddisposalinavarietyofgeologicenvironments,aswellas worktobetterunderstandthepotentialdegradationmechanismsinvolvedin longtermdrycaskstorage.

AretheR&Dactivitiessolelydirectedtostorageanddisposaloptions,oris reprocessingalsointhefocusofDOE?

technologiespromotesstudentseducationtobuildworldclassnuclearenergyandworkforce capability.

60 Article 32.1.2 p.2324 (Section B.3.1)

Storageofspentfuel

Inthemostcommonlyuseddesignsfordrystorage,spentfuelisloadedin canistersthataresubsequentlyplacedinstoragecasksorvaults/bunkers.

Whatistherepairconceptforaleakingcask?Aretherehotcellse.g.forcask repairoperationsavailableonsiteafterNPPpermanentshutdownandduring theentirestorageperioduntiltransfertoaconsolidated(centralised)storage facility?

Intheeventalicenseedeterminedacanisterwasleaking,themethodofrepairwouldbe determinedbythelicensee.Themethodofrepairwoulddependontheseverityoftheleak andconsiderpotentialdosestoworkersrepairingtheleak.Theselectedmethodofrepair mustcomplywithapplicablesafetyrequirements,evenifcostlyrepairsarerequired.Hotcells arenotrequiredatnuclearpowerplantsafterpermanentshutdownorafterdecommissioning ofthedecommissioningofthereactorfacility.

61 Article 32.1.5 p.108 (Section H.1.3)

Classificationofradioactivewaste

TheNationalReportstates:AlthoughtheU.S.doesnothaveanofficiallegal definitioninplaceforthelowactivitywaste(LAW)term,licenseesdohave theabilitytomanageanddisposeofmaterialsthatfallintothatcategoryof waste.LAWisalsoatermfrequentlyusedbyothernationsandorganizations involvedinradioactivewastemanagement.OneoftheprimaryreasonsLAW hasbecomeafocusofattentionistheunusuallylargevolumestobe managedincomparisontoconventionalLLWfromtheongoingoperationsof nuclearfacilities.Decommissioningorcleanupofcontaminatedsitesin particularcangeneratelargevolumesofLAW.

WhatarethedifferencesbetweenLAWandLLWfromtheU.S.pointofview?

Lowactivitywaste(LAW)doesnothaveastatutoryorregulatorydefinition,butgenerally meanswastesthatcontainsomeresidualradioactivity,includingnaturallyoccurring radionuclides,whichcanbesafelydisposedofinhazardousormunicipalsolidwastelandfills.

SuchwasteisinvariablyafractionofthelimitsforClassAlowlevelwaste(LLW)containedin Title10oftheCodeofFederalRegulations(CFR)part61,andisoftenbelowconcentrations thatareconsideredsafeforunrestrictedreleaseunderinternationalstandards.Although thesematerialscouldbedisposedofinaLLWdisposalfacilitylicensedunder10CFRpart61,if alicenseesochose,disposalatanothertypeoffacility,suchasahazardouswastefacility,can beauthorizedunder10CFR20.2002.ThisprovisionintheNuclearRegulatoryCommissions (NRC)regulationsallowsforotherdisposalmethods,differentfromthosealreadydefinedin theregulations,providedthatdosesaremaintainedaslowasisreasonablyachievableand withintheregulatorydoselimitsin10CFRpart20.

DOEhasprovisionsforcaseandsitespecificconsiderationsofLLW.Ifacaseandsitespecific

pg.19

Id IAEA Article Reference Question/Comment Answer prospectivedoseassessmentdemonstratesthatitwouldbeprotective,LLWmaybeapproved asfordisposalinahazardousormunicipallandfillswhichhaveawasteacceptancecriteria (WAC)permittingsuchdisposal.

ThedisposalofLLWinhazardousorsolidwastelandfillsispermitted,providedthatthe regulatorydoselimitsaremetincludingthewasteacceptancecriteriaatthereceivingdisposal facilities.

Milltailingsfromextractionandconcentrationfromuraniumthoriumaredisposedofundera separatesetofregulations.

62 Article 32.2.3 p.38 (Section D.2.1)

Processingofdefencehighlevelwaste

TheDepartmentofEnergy(DOE)iscurrentlybuildingtheWasteTreatment andImmobilizationPlant(WTP)attheHanfordsitetomanagedefencehigh levelwastethathasbeenstoredfordecadesin177largeundergroundtanks.

TheWTPwillseparateradioactiveliquidwasteandturnitintoastableglass formsuitablefordisposal.Theliquidwastewillbevitrifiedandpouredinto stainlesssteelcanisters.Theplantisdesignedtooperatefor40years.In additiontothis,theFourthNationalReportoftheUnitedStatesannounced:

Designoftheplantwillbecompleteby2013;constructionisscheduledtobe completedjustthreeyearslater,in2016,andstartupofplantsystemswill begin.In2019,allfacilitiesandsystemswillbefullyoperationalandbeginthe processofvitrifyingtankwaste.

ThisinformationhasbeenremovedfromtheFifthNationalReport.Doesthat meanthatthereareanydelaysintheoriginaltimeschedule?Ifso,whatare thereasonsforthem?Couldyoupleaseprovideanupdatedtimeschedulefor thedifferentmilestonesmentionedintheFourthNationalReport?

TheschedulefortheWasteTreatmentandImmobilizationPlant(WTP)iscurrentlythesubject ofalawsuitinFederalcourt.

63 Article 32.2.3 p.40 (Section D.2.2.2)

Disposal

Itismentionedthat4commercialLLWdisposalsites(Beatty,MaxeyFlats, Sheffield,andWestValley)arenowclosed.Couldyoupleaseprovide informationaboutthemonitoringstrategy/programme(orlongterm surveillance)andtheexistingexperiences?

TheclosedsitesareinAgreementStatesandsubjecttothosestatesregulatoryprograms.

Postclosureactivitiesatthefourclosedsitesareperformedinaccordancewithsitespecific closureplansrequiredbythestateregulatoryauthorities.Thesetypicallyincludeperiodic monitoringofgroundwater,air,vegetation,andfaunaaswellasdirectradiation measurements.Ifmeasurementsweretoexceedprescribedactionlevels,thelicenseeor custodialorganizationwouldberequiredtotakeappropriatemitigatingaction.Postclosure activitiesalsoincludeperiodicsitemaintenanceandmaintenanceofphysicalaccesscontrols.

Sitespecificinformationcanbeobtainedbycontactingstateregulatoryauthorities.Beatty, NVBureauofHealthCareQualityandCompliance,RadiationControlProgram, http://health.nv.gov/HCQC_Radiological.htmMaxeyFlats,KYCabinetforhealthandFamily Services,RadiationHealthPrograms,http://www.chfs.ky.gov/dph/radiation.htmSheffield.Il IllinoisEmergencyManagementAgency,DivisionofNuclearSafety http://www.iema.illinois.gov WestValley,NYNewYorkStateHealthDepartment,DivisionofEnvironmentalHealth Investigationshttp://www.nyhealth.gov/radiation.

64 Article4 A.4.2.3 WhatisthesituationtoensureadequatecapacitiesforLLWdisposal?

WhethercreationofnewLLWRAWdisposalfacilities(A.4.2.3)resolvesthe problemconcernedwithcapacitieslackforLLWdisposalthathasbeen discussedintheIVthReport?

WiththeopeningoftheWasteControlSpecialists(WCS)facilityin2012,andthewillingnessof theTexasLowLevelRadioactiveWasteDisposalCompactCommissiontoacceptoutof compactwaste(theTexasCompactincludesthestatesofTexasandVermont),theavailability ofdisposalcapacityforwastegeneratorsthroughoutalloftheU.S.hasimprovedconsiderably.

However,suchavailabilityisalwayssubjecttochangebasedoncircumstanceswithinthe statesthatcontrolaccess.Therearenonewsitesanticipatedintheforeseeablefuture.

pg.20

Id IAEA Article Reference Question/Comment Answer 65 Article4 F.7.2,94 SectionF.7.2describesthatalthoughsomeoperators ofaLLWincinerator acquiresNRC'slicense,mostofincinerationsareperformedbysmallnumber ofcommercialincinerators.

Then,whatistheregulatoryrequirementsonthewasteacceptancecriteria oftheseradioactivewasteincinerationfacilities?

Especially,ifthereisanuclidespecificlimit,pleaseexplainit.

TheregulationforincinerationisunderTitle10oftheCodeofFederalRegulations(CFR) 20.1302(c)and10CFR20.2002.Thelicenseeisauthorizedtodisposeoflicensedmaterialby incineration,providedthegaseouseffluentfromincinerationdoesnotexceedthelimits specifiedforairinAppendixB,TableII,10CFRpart20.Inaccordancewith10CFR20.2002,the licensemaydisposeofincineratorashcontaininghydrogen3andcarbon14asordinarywaste inalandfill,providedtheconcentrationsoftheisotopes,expressedinmicrocuriespergramof ash,atthetimeofdisposal,donotexceed10percentofthevalueslistedinTableII,Column2, 10CFRpart20,AppendixB.Ifmorethanoneradionuclideispresentintheash,thenthesum offractionsruleapplies(10CFR20.2003).

66 Article4 F.7.2,p93 ThewasteminimizationofUSAisintroducedinF.7.2.

IsthereasuggestedquantitativevalueforwasteminimizationfortheUS NPP?

PleaseintroduceLLWdisposalpricechargedbytheoperatorofthe commercialdisposalfacilityandtheinfluenceofwastedisposalpricetowaste minimizationoftheUSNPP.

TheNuclearRegulatoryCommissions(NRCs)May2012policystatementonlowlevelwaste (LLW)managementandwastevolumereductioncanbefoundat (http://www.nrc.gov/readingrm/doccollections/commission/policy/).Itreiteratesthe desirabilityofsuchreductiontoconservedisposalcapacityandtoreducetheoverallcostof disposal.However,thereisnoquantitativevalueforsuchreductionsuggested.IntheU.S.,the risingunitcostofdisposalhashadsomeimpactonoverallvolumereduction.Unitdisposal costsforvariousclassesofLLWvaryfromsitetosite.Costsarebasedoncomplexformulae thataccountforpackageweight,volume,overallradioactivity,wasteclassification,and surfacecontamination,difficultyinhandlingaswellasvariousstateandlocalsurcharges.

BecauseofLLWcompactconstraints,wastegeneratorsoftenhavenochoiceofdisposalsite regardlessofcostifthestateinwhichthegeneratorislocatedisamemberofaregional compactthathasadisposalfacility.Thisisamajorreasonthatgeneratorstrytominimizethe amountofradioactivewastethatrequiresdisposal.

67 Article4 G,103 Whataretheexpectedradiologicalimpactsfromoperationofspentfueldry storagefacilities?Whatisthedoseconstraintforthepublicduringoperation ofdrystoragefacilities?

Therearenoexpectedradiologicalimpactsfromoperationofanindependentspentfuel storageinstallation.ThedoselimitsforoperationofanIndependentSpentFuelStorage Installations(ISFSIs)areinTitle10oftheCodeofFederalRegulations(CFR)part72,Licensing RequirementsfortheIndependentStorageofSpentNuclearFuel,HighLevelRadioactive Waste,andReactorRelatedGreaterthanClassCWaste.Thedoselimitsfornormal operationandanticipatedoccurrences(in10CFR72.104,Criteriaforradioactivematerialsin effluentsanddirectradiationfromanISFSIorMRS)limittheannualdoseequivalenttoany individualwhoislocatedbeyondthecontrolledareato0.25mSvtothewholebody,0.75mSv tothethyroidand0.25mSvtoanyothercriticalorganasaresultofexposureto:(1)Planned dischargesofradioactivematerials,radonanditsdecayproductsexcepted,tothegeneral environment,(2)DirectradiationfromISFSIorMonitoredRetrievableStorage(MRS) operations,and(3)Anyotherradiationfromuraniumfuelcycleoperationswithintheregion.

Thedoselimitsin10CFR72.106,ControlledareaofanISFSIorMRSstatethatapersonator beyondthenearestboundaryofthecontrolledareamaynotreceivefromanydesignbasis accidentthemorelimitingofatotaleffectivedoseequivalentof0.05Sv,orthesumofthe deepdoseequivalentandthecommitteddoseequivalenttoanyindividualorganortissue (otherthanthelensoftheeye)of0.5Sv.Thelensdoseequivalentmaynotexceed0.15Svand theshallowdoseequivalenttoskinoranyextremitymaynotexceed0.5Sv.

68 Article4 G.1,p103 ItismentionedthatnonewspecificlicensesforISFSIshavebeenissuedinthe pastthreeyears;however,thereareninegenerallicenseesauthorizedfor storingspentfuelindrycasksatcurrentorformerNPPsitesinB.3.1andthat agenerallicensetostorespentfuelatanISFSIisautomaticallygrantedtoany nuclearpowerplantlicenseethathasalicenseinG.1, Whatisthedifferencebetweenaspecificlicenseandagenerallicensefor ISFSI?

Whatarethespecifictechnicalrequirementsandlicensingproceduresofthe twokindsoflicenses?

Thedifferencebetweenageneralandspecificlicenseisinwhocanobtaineachtypeoflicense.

Nuclearpowerreactorlicenseescanpursueeitherasitespecificorgenerallicenseforan independentspentfuelstorageinstallation(ISFSI).ISFSIsnotlocatedatanuclearpowerplant mustbeapprovedviasitespecificlicensing.Thetechnicalrequirementsforthetwotypesof ISFSIsarethesamebutthelicensingprocessisdifferent.Theregulationsforthetwotypesof ISFSIscanbefoundinTitle10oftheCodeofFederalRegulations(10CFR)part72,Licensing RequirementsfortheIndependentStorageofSpentNuclearFuel,HighLevelRadioactive Waste,andReactorRelatedGreaterthanClassCWaste.NRCsreviewcriteriaforageneral licenseandsitespecificlicensecanbefoundinNUREG1536,StandardReviewPlanforDry

pg.21

Id IAEA Article Reference Question/Comment Answer ShouldthesafetyanalysesreportforISFSIbesubmittedwhenthe constructionlicenseofNPPisapplied?

CaskStorageSystemssee:http://www.nrc.gov/readingrm/doc collections/nuregs/staff/sr1536/andNUREG1567,StandardReviewPlanforSpentFuelDry StorageFacilities,see:http://www.nrc.gov/readingrm/doccollections/nuregs/staff/sr1567/

respectively.Ataveryhighlevel,theISFSImustbedesignedtoensurethat,duringnormal operationsandafteranypotentialaccidentornaturalphenomena:offsitedoses(dueto directdoseandeffluents)donotexceedthelimitsinNRCregulations(10CFR72.104and 72.106,CriteriaforradioactivematerialsineffluentsanddirectradiationfromanISFSIor

[MonitoredRetrievableStorage]MRSandControlledareaofanISFSIorMRS,respectively);

thespentfuelremainssubcritical;andthetemperaturesofISFSIcomponents,includingthe spentfuelremainbelowmaterialtemperaturelimits,unlessthosecomponentsarenot consideredinevaluatingoffsitedosesorcriticalitysafety.AnapplicantforasitespecificISFSI licensemustdescribeindetailallaspectsoftheplannedISFSI,thesitedescription,thestorage systemdesignandoperations,andtheongoingcontrolsandprogramsthatwillbeinplaceto assuresafeoperations.Anopportunityforapublichearingispartofthelicensingprocessfor sitespecificlicenses.WhenNRCissuesasitespecificlicense,thatlicenseincludesconditions andtechnicalspecificationsthatidentifyspecificrequirementsforthedesignandoperationof thatISFSI.AgenerallicensetoconstructandoperateanISFSIisautomaticallyconveyedtoall holdersofanNRCpowerreactorlicense.Thisgenerallicenseallowsaplanttouseacurrently certifieddrycaskstoragesystemlistedin10CFR72.214,Listofapprovedspentfuelstorage caskswithoutsubmittinganotherapplicationtoNRC.Thereactorlicenseemustperformand documentevaluationstoconfirmthattheirsite,fuelcharacteristics,andprogramsareall boundedbytheanalysesapprovedbyNRCforthecertifieddrycaskstoragesystemithas chosentouse.Apublichearingisnotpartofthegenerallicenseprocess,however,thepublic isabletocommentthroughtherulemakingprocesswhichconsidersapprovingnewor amendeddrycaskstoragesystem,andthereforeaddingthemtothelistofapprovedspent fuelstoragecasksystemsin10CFR72.214.TheSafetyAnalysisReportfortheISFSIshould notbesubmittedatthesametimeastheconstructionlicense,sincedrystoragetechnology continuestoevolveovertimeanddrystorageisnotneededuntilmanyyearsafterthereactor hasbeenoperating.

69 Article5 G.2 WhataretherequirementsestablishedformonitoringandinspectionofSNF storedinlongtermdrystoragefacilities(schedule,itsmethodsandtools provided)?

Monitoringandinspectionrequirementsforspentfuelinlongtermdrystoragefacilitiesis establishedandimplementedthroughthelicenseesagingmanagementplan(AMP)thatis developedandapprovedbytheNuclearRegulatoryCommission(NRC)duringthelicense renewalprocess.NRCmayrenewanindependentspentfuelstorageinstallationlicenseordry caskstoragecertificateofcomplianceforatermnottoexceed40yearsasspecifiedinTitle10 oftheCodeofFederalRegulations(CFR)72.42,72.240,Durationoflicense;renewal,and Conditionsforspentfuelstoragecaskrenewal,respectively.Therequirementsforrenewal includedemonstrationthatdegradationwillbeaddressedbyeither(1)analysesorcalculations toshowthatagingeffectswillnotresultinalossofintendedfunctionofanimportantto safetysystem,or(2)implementationofagingmanagementprograms(AMPs)thatwillmanage issuesassociatedwithagingofthesesystems.AMPsconsistofconditionmonitoring, performancemonitoring,mitigationorotherpreventionactivitiesforeachimportanttosafety system,uponconsiderationofitsmaterialofconstructionandserviceenvironment.

Therefore,theinspectionandmonitoringrequirements,includingmethodortechnique, frequencyofinspections,andacceptancecriteriaaredeterminedbythespecificaging mechanismcausingthedegradation,aswellasaccessibilityandoccupationaldoseconstraints forthesystem.NUREG1927,StandardReviewPlanforRenewalofSpentFuelDryCask StorageSystemLicensesandCertificatesofCompliance,(http://www.nrc.gov/reading rm/doccollections/nuregs/staff/sr1927/)providesguidanceontheessentialelementsofan AMP;however,itdoesnotidentifyspecificinspectionfrequencies,methods,etc.TheseAMP

pg.22

Id IAEA Article Reference Question/Comment Answer detailsareproposedbyapplicantsandevaluatedbyNRConacasebycasebasis.For instance,NRChasevaluatedAMPsforreinforcedconcretestructuresagainsttherequirements oftheAmericanConcreteInstitute(ACI)standard349.3R.Thestandardrequiresvisual inspectionsofaccessibleabovegradeareasoftheconcretestructureataminimumintervalof 5years,andbelowgradeareasataminimumof10years.Additionalrequirementsinclude themonitoringofgroundwaternearthestorageinstallationforthepresenceofaggressive chemicals.Weldedstainlesssteelcanistershavebeenrequiredtobeinspectedon5year intervalsforcorrosionproductsthatmaybeindicatorsoflocalizedcorrosionandstress corrosioncracking.Theinspectionmayinvolvetheuseofvisualtestingperrequirementsof theAmericanSocietyofMechanicalEngineers(ASME)BoilerandPressureVessel(B&PV)Code, SectionV,followedbysurfaceand/orvolumetricinspectiontechniquesconsistentwiththe requirementsofASMEB&PVCodeSectionXI.Astorageinstallationmayalsoperformperiodic radiationmonitoringatthecontrolledareaoftheinstallationtoensurecompliancewith regulatoryrequirementsfordirectradiationandradioactivematerialsineffluents.

70 Article6 F9.3,page 97 WhatisthestatusoftheStrategyfortheManagementandDisposalofUsed NuclearFuelandHighLevelRadioactiveWasteandtheprogressthrough Congress?

TheDepartmentofEnergy(DOE)iscurrentlylayingthegroundworkforimplementinginterim storage,includingassociatedtransportation,pertheAdministrationsStrategyforthe ManagementandDisposalofUsedNuclearFuelandHighLevelRadioactiveWaste.The intentistomakeprogressonthisimportantnationalissuewithinexistinglegislativeand budgetaryauthorizations.Theobjectivesaretodevelopandbeginimplementationofan integratedplanto(1)implementinterimstorage;(2)improvetheoverallintegrationof storageasaplannedpartofthewastemanagementsystem;(3)prepareforthelargescale transportationofspentnuclearfuelandhighlevelradioactivewaste,withaninitialfocuson removingspentfuelfromtheshutdownreactorsites;and(4)developfoundational information,resources,andcapabilitiesneededtosupporttheseobjectivesandfuture implementationdecisionsandactions.FullimplementationoftheStrategywillrequire legislation.

71 Article6 Section F9.3,page 97 Couldyoupleaseelaborateinwhatwaythiscanchangetheexisting procedureofpublicandstakeholderinvolvement?Atwhichstages throughouttheimplementationofstoragefacilitiesandrepositoryprojects consultationswithlocalpublicandpublichearingswillbeheldandwhether thelocalcommunitieswillhavethevetoright?

COMMENT:TheReportsaysthat:TheAdministrationsStrategyforthe ManagementandDisposalofUsedNuclearFuelandHighLevelRadioactive WasteembracedthecorefindingsoftheBRCandaffirmedthatanyworkable solutionforthefinaldispositionofusedfuelandnuclearwastemustbe basednotonlyonsoundscience,butalsoonachievingpublicacceptanceat thelocal,stateandTriballevels.

Currently,theDepartmentofEnergy(DOE)islayingthegroundworkforimplementinginterim storageofspentfuel,includingassociatedtransportation,pertheAdministrationsStrategy fortheManagementandDisposalofUsedNuclearFuelandHighLevelRadioactiveWaste.

DOEisworkingtoengagestakeholdersintheearlyplanningstages.Tobesuccessful,a consentbasedprocessshouldnotbeprescriptivebutratheradaptive.Theprocessshould resultinaninformeddeliberationleadingtoconsentbyaffectedState,Tribesandthelocal communitytohostingastorageordisposalfacility.TheAdministrationhascommittedtowork closelywithCongresstodevelopapathforwardthatmaximizesthelikelihoodofsuccess.

72 Article7 p.98 (Section F.10)

Designoffacilities

CouldtheUnitedStatespleaseprovideinformationwhichlessonslearned fromtheFukushimaaccidenthavebeenconsideredinthedesignofnew facilitiesforthemanagementofspentfuelandradioactivewaste,e.g.with respecttobeyonddesignbasisaccidents?

TheNuclearRegulatoryCommission(NRC)staffhasrecentlyissuedadraftwhitepaperonthe applicabilityofFukushimalessonslearnedtofacilitiesotherthanpowerreactors.(These lessonslearnedaresummarizedin12recommendations,whichincludedconsiderationof beyonddesignbasisevents).ThepaperispubliclyavailableandcanbefoundinNRCs AgencywideDocumentsAccessandManagementSystem(ADAMS)atAccessionNo.

ML15042A367.NRCstaffdidnotfindsafetyconcernsassociatedwiththedesignsofspent fuelstoragesystems.

73 General 54 WhenisEPAsnextfiveyearreviewofWIPP?Howarethe2014incidentsat WIPPexpectedtoaffectthatreviewofcompliance,ifatall?

TheDepartmentofEnergy(DOE)submitteditsthirdComplianceRecertificationApplication (CRA)inMarch2014,shortlyafterthetwoincidentsinFebruary.TheEnvironmental ProtectionAgencys(EPAs)initialreviewoftheCRAforcompletenesswasdelayedbythe Februaryincidents.EPAhasindicateditsexpectationthatDOEwillprovideadditional

pg.23

Id IAEA Article Reference Question/Comment Answer informationdescribinghowitplanstoaddresstheFebruary2014incidentsinordertoreopen thefacility(e.g.,throughfacilitymodifications).Oncetheapplicationisdeemedtobe complete,EPAhassixmonthstoapproveordenytheapplication.EPAisreviewingtechnical aspectsoftheCRAthatarenotexpectedtobeaffectedbytheincidents,andhasalready communicatedwithDOEonsomeoftheseissues.MoreinformationonEPAsCRAreviewcan befoundathttp://www.epa.gov/radiation/wipp 74 General A.3.4,6 andArticle 25F.5.3, 87 NRCisalsoevaluatingtheapplicabilityoflessonslearnedfromtheFukushima event.Theselessonswillbereflectedinsuchareasasemergency preparednessandresponse.Doesthisevaluationcomprisesalsosafety aspectsofISFS(e.g.considerationofnew/updatedexternalhazards)?

TheNuclearRegulatoryCommission(NRC)hasrecentlyissuedadraftwhitepaperonthe applicabilityofFukushimalessonslearnedtofacilitiesotherthanpowerreactors,including IndependentSpentFuelStorageInstallations(ISFSIs).Theselessonslearnedaresummarizedin 12recommendations,whichincludeconsiderationofbeyonddesignbasisevents.Thepaperis publiclyavailableandcanbefoundinNRCsAgencywideDocumentsAccessandManagement System(ADAMS)atAccessionNo.ML15042A367.NRCfoundthattheexistingregulatory frameworkensuressafeandsecurestoragedesignsforradioactivemateriallicensedbyNRC.

Further,NRCdeterminedthatnoregulatoryactionwasnecessary.TheNRCsregulations requireevaluatingnaturalhazards(e.g.,earthquakesandtornadoes)aspartofanapplication.

75 General A.4.1.2, Para.1,p8 AboutYuccaMountainSpentFuelProgram,afterthedecisionbyUnited StatesDistrictCourtinAugust2013,theUSNuclearRegulatoryCommission (NRC)decidedtocompletetheSafetyEvaluationReport(SER)onthe applicationsubmittedinNovember2013.NRCiscurrentlyconductingthe safetyassessmentontheapplicationandpreparationthenecessarysafety assessmentreport.

DoesitmeanthatitispossiblefortheYuccaMountainSpentFuelProgram licenseapplicationtopasstheNRC'sreviewinthenearfuture?Wouldthe YuccaMountainprojectbepushedforwardsonceagain?Andwouldthe relatedactivitiescontinue?

TheNuclearRegulatoryCommission(NRC)staffcompleteditssafetyevaluationreportofthe DepartmentofEnergys(DOEs)YuccaMountainapplicationinJanuary2015.Thesafety evaluationreport(SER)representsthetechnicalreviewoftheinformationprovidedbyDOE, andNRCsstaffdeterminationastowhethertheNRCsregulationsforageologicrepository havebeenmet.ThereportalsoincludestherecommendationthatNRCshouldnotauthorize constructionoftherepositorybecauseDOEhasnotmetcertainlandandwaterrights requirementsidentifiedinVolume4oftheSER,publishedinDecember2014,andbecausea supplementtoDOEsenvironmentalimpactstatementhasnotyetbeencompleted.Thefull safetyevaluationreportisavailableasNUREG1949,SafetyEvaluationReportRelatedto DisposalofHighLevelRadioactiveWastesinaGeologicRepositoryatYuccaMountain, Nevada,Volumes15,onNRCwebsite,http://www.nrc.gov/readingrm/doc collections/nuregs/staff/sr1949/.Completionofthesafetyevaluationreportdoesnot representNRCsdecisiononwhethertoauthorizeconstruction.Afinallicensingdecision, shouldfundsbeyondthosecurrentlyavailablebeappropriated,couldcomeonlyafter completionofasupplementtotheDOEsenvironmentalimpactstatement,hearingson contentionsintheadjudication,andNRCsreview.InaMarch12,2015FederalRegister Notice,NRCstaffprovidednoticeofitsintenttocompleteasupplementtoDOEs environmentalimpactstatement.TheAdministrationhasdeterminedthatYuccaMountainis notaworkableoptionasageologicrepository.

76 General A.4.1.4, p8p9 COMMENT:ItismentionedinA.4.1.4thatDOEissearchingthetechnicalgaps relatedtoextendedstorageofspentfuel.

PleaseintroducethemainviewpointsandconsiderationsofUSNRConthe extendedstorageofspentfuel.

PleaseintroducetherequirementsofUSNRCtothelongtermstorageof spentfuel.

TheNuclearRegulatoryCommission(NRC)regulatesstorageofspentfuelindrystorage systemsunderbothsitespecificandgenerallicenses,atafacilityreferredtoasan IndependentSpentFuelStorageInstallation(ISFSI).Underasitespecificlicense,theISFSI designandoperationmustmeetregulationsunderTitle10oftheCodeofFederalRegulations (CFR)part72,LicensingRequirementsfortheIndependentStorageofSpentNuclearFuel, HighLevelRadioactiveWaste,andReactorRelatedGreaterthanClassCWaste.Thelicenses arefortermsofupto40years,andcanberenewedforadditionalterms.Agenerallicensefor anISFSIallowsanuclearpowerplantlicenseetooperateanISFSIusingcaskscertifiedunder 10CFRpart72.Thecaskcertificatesofcomplianceareissuedfortermsofupto40years,and canberenewed.Atpresent,drystorageISFSIsintheU.S.areoperatingundertheirinitial termorfirstrenewal.NRCiscurrentlyevaluatingwhatpotentialchanges,ifany,areneeded toitsregulationstoaddressmoreextendedperiodsofstorage.Aspartofthisevaluation,NRC issuedareportinMay,2014,entitledIdentificationandPrioritizationoftheTechnical InformationNeedsAffectingPotentialRegulationofExtendedStorageandTransportationof SpentNuclearFuel(availableinNRCsAgencywideDocumentsAccessandManagement

pg.24

Id IAEA Article Reference Question/Comment Answer System(ADAMS)atAccessionNo.ML14043A423).Thisreportidentifiedseveralareasfor furtherinvestigation,includingpotentialstresscorrosioncracking),pitting,andcrevice corrosionofstainlesssteelcanisterbodyandwelds,andpossibleswellingoffuelpelletsand fuelrodpressurization.Inaddition,thereportprioritizedadditionalstudyofmorerealistic thermalcalculationmethods,effectsofresidualmoistureafterdrying,andinservice monitoringmethodsforstoragesystemsandcomponents.TheU.S.hasbeenstoringspent nuclearfuellongerthanoriginallyenvisioned,andastimehasgoneby,higherburnupfuels hasalsoincreased.Inanefforttoprovideinsightsonsometechnicalconsiderationsofstorage ofthesehighburnupfuels,DOEhasperformedtechnicalgapanalysestoevaluateanyissues withthecaskandfuelsystemsstoringthefuel.TheDOEGapAnalysis,GapAnalysisTo SupportExtendedStorageofUsedNuclearFuel(http://energy.gov/ne/downloads/gap analysissupportextendedstorageusednuclearfuel0)Inadditiontotheworkperformedby DOEtoevaluatetechnicalinformationgaps,otherorganizationssuchasNRC,ElectricPower ResearchInstitute,NuclearWasteTechnicalReviewBoardandExtendedStorageCollaboration Projecthaveperformedevaluationsofthestorageandtransportationofspentnuclearfuels.

DOEanalyzedtheseotherdocumentstoevaluatethesimilaritiesanddifferencesastheyrelate totheDOEGapAnalysis,ReviewofUsedNuclearFuelStorageAndTransportationTechnical GapAnalysis(http://energy.gov/ne/downloads/reviewusednuclearfuelstorageand transportationtechnicalgapanalysis) 77 General A.4.2.1,

Para6, p10 ItismentionedinA.4.2.1thatUSNRChadrequireddisposalfacilitiesto conductasitespecificperformanceassessmentfordisposalofLLW.

Pleaseintroducehowtoconductthisassessment,whattheresultsofthis assessmentareandhowtoestablishaconnectionbetweentheresultsofthis assessmentandthelicencingofthedisposalfacility.

TheNuclearRegulatoryCommission(NRC)isproposingrevisionstoTitle10oftheCodeof FederalRegulations(CFR)part61.TheproposedrulewaspublishedonMarch26th,2015,and canbefoundinNRCsAgencywideDocumentsAccessandManagementSystem(ADAMS)at AccessionNo.ML14289A152.Theregulation,ifapproved,wouldspecifytherequirementsfor anacceptablesitespecificperformanceassessment(PA).NRCisalsoproposingguidancewith therulethat,whencombinedwithexistingguidance,wouldprovideacceptablemethodsfor demonstratingthatthePArequirementsintherevisedrulearemet.Theresultsofthesite specificPAwouldneedtoprovidereasonableassurancethattheperformanceobjectivesare metinordertosupportissuanceofalicense.Undertherevisedprovisions,adisposalfacility licensee,withNRC,orNRCAgreementStateapproval,coulddevelopsitespecificwaste acceptancecriteriafromtheresultsofthesitespecificPA.

78 General A3.4 TheUSAhasreportedonimprovementsrequiredtobemadetothestorage ofspentfuelinpondsfollowinganalysisoftheFukushimaaccident(section A.3.4).HastheUSAmadeanyrecommendationsregardingthedrystorageof spentfuel?

No,theNuclearRegulatoryCommission(NRC)hasnotidentifiedimprovementstodrystorage facilitiesofspentfuel.In2015,NRCdeterminedthatthecurrentregulatoryframework ensuresthatthedesignsforstoringradioactivemateriallicensedbyNRCaresafeandsecure.

TheNRCstaffsassessmentcanbefoundinawhitepaperonthelessonslearnedfrom Fukushimaforfacilitiesotherthanpowerreactors.Thepaperispubliclyavailableandcanbe foundinNRCsAgencywideDocumentsAccessandManagementSystem(ADAMS)at AccessionNo.ML15042A367 (http://adamswebsearch2.nrc.gov/webSearch2/view?AccessionNumber=ML15042A367).

79 General A4.1.4/K.5 p8 p9/p131 Whatkindsofageingphenomenaareconsideredinkeepingspentfuels (particularlyhighburnupfuel)ininterimstorage,andhowaresuch phenomenacontrolled?Inthisconnection,arerestrictivetemperatures,etc.

prescribedforcontainedspentfuels,andifso,howhavesuchlimitsbeen established?

TheNuclearRegulatoryCommissionsInterimStaffGuidance(ISG) 11,Revision3,Cladding ConsiderationsfortheTransportationandStorageofSpentFuel,(seewww.nrc.gov/reading rm/doccollections/isg/isg11R3.pdf)discussestheexpectedeffectsofcreepandradial hydridesasagingphenomenaforbothhighandlowburnupfuelininterimstorage.ISG11, Revision3alsoprovidesguidancetothestaffonmaximumcladdingtemperaturesandstresses thatresultinacceptableoperationalconsiderationswhenloadingspentfuelintostoragecasks andtransportationpackages.ISG11,Revision3providesthatforallfuelburnups(lowand high),themaximumcalculatedfuelcladdingtemperatureshouldnotexceed400°C(752°F)for normalconditionsofstorageandshorttermloadingoperations(e.g.,drying,backfillingwith inertgas,andtransferofthecasktothestoragepad).Foroffnormalandaccidentconditions, themaximumcladdingtemperatureshouldnotexceed570°C(1058°F).ISG11,Revision3,

pg.25

Id IAEA Article Reference Question/Comment Answer identifiedcreepdeformationasthemostlikelymechanismforcladdingbreachinstorageand hydridereorientationaspotentiallyhavingasignificanteffectoncladdingbehaviorduring accidents.ThetemperatureandstressprovisionsinISG11,Revision3,werealsofoundto limitcreep.Basedonthedataavailableatthattime,itwasalsodeterminedthatthese temperaturesandstresseswouldpreventhydridereorientationfromoccurring.However, subsequentresearchhasshownthathydridesmaystillreorientradiallyevenifthe temperaturesandstressesindicatedinISG11,Revision3,arenotexceeded.Radialhydrides canrepresentanadditionalembrittlementmechanismifthecladdingtemperaturedecreases belowaductiletobrittletransitiontemperatureandtherodsaresubjectedtosignificant stresses.Mechanicalpropertiesthataccountfortheextentofradialhydrideprecipitationand theductiletobrittletransitiontemperatureareimportantfortheevaluationofcladding performance.

80 General A4.5,page 12 WhatisthecurrentstatusofWIPP?

TheWasteIsolationPilotPlant(WIPP)suspendedoperationsonFebruary5,2014,followinga fireinvolvinganundergroundvehicle.Ninedayslater,onFebruary14,2014,aradiological eventoccurredunderground,contaminatingaportionofthemineprimarilyalongthe ventilationpathfromthelocationoftheincident,releasingasmallamountofcontamination intotheenvironment.TheDepartmentofEnergy(DOE)appointedanAccidentInvestigation Board(AIB),whichconductedandcompletedaninvestigationoftheundergroundfire.AIB publishedtheirreportonMarch13,2014.Similarly,DOEappointedasecondAIBto determinethecauseoftheFebruary14radiologicalreleaseandtodeveloprecommendations forcorrectiveactions.ThissecondAIBisusingatwophasedapproach.Phase1focusedon theresponsetotheradioactivematerialrelease,includingrelatedexposuretoaboveground workersandtheresponseactions.ThePhase1ReportwasissuedonApril24,2014.The Reportisavailableat http://www.wipp.energy.gov/Special/AIB_Final_WIPP_Rad_Release_Phase1_04_22_2014.pdf.

Phase2oftheinvestigationisfocusedontherootandcontributingcausesoftheradiological release.TheAIBwillprovideitsfindingswhentheinvestigationiscomplete.Inaddition,DOE createdaTechnicalAssessmentTeam(TAT),whichisanindependentteammadeupof technicalexpertsfromnationallaboratories,toevaluatethemechanismsandchemical reactionscontributingtothefailureofawastedrumatWIPP.Initsreport,theTATconcluded thatonedrum,Drum68660,wasthesourceofradioactivecontaminationreleasedduringthe February14,2014,radiologicaleventatWIPP.TheTATReportwasissuedonMarch17,2015.

TheReportisavailableat:http://energy.gov/em/wasteisolationpilotplantwipprecovery.

TheWasteIsolationPilotPlantRecoveryPlanoutlinestheproposedstrategy,keyactivities, andmanagementapproachtosafelyreturnWIPPtoitsCongressionallymandatedmissionof defensegeneratedtransuranicwastedisposaloperations.Ongoingandfutureactionsinclude:

decontaminationactivities;implementationofrecoverycorrectiveactions;safety managementprogramimprovements;DocumentedSafetyAnalysisRevision;underground stabilizationactivities;interimclosureoftheaffectedemplacementpanels;continuing radiologicalsurveys;cleaning,maintenanceandupgradingofundergroundequipmentand infrastructure;ventilationupgrades,andactivitiestoensureprotectiontotheenvironment.

81 General B4,28 TheregistrationandreviewcompletedaspartofREACHclassifiesBoricAcid (CAS10043353/11113501)asH360FD(Maydamagefertility.Maydamage theunbornchild.)

HowisthisfactreflectedinRadioactiveWasteManagementPractices?

IntheU.S.hazardousmaterialsarerequiredtobetreatedtoreducethehazardpriorto disposal.Ifthewasteisbeingdisposedinalowlevelwaste(LLW)disposalfacility,any contaminatedboricacidwouldneedtobeproperlytreated"...toreducetothemaximum extentpracticablethepotentialhazardfromthenonradiologicalmaterials."(Title10ofthe CodeofFederalRegulations61.56(a)(8)).Thesamepartoftheregulationsrequireslimiting theliquidorgaseousformofthewaste.

82 General F7.1p92 IstheconceptofGdcredittakenintoaccountincriticalityanalysesinUSA?

Todate,noapplicantshaverequestedgadolinium(Gd)creditinitscriticalityanalyses.The U.S.hasnotprovidedanyguidanceforGdcreditincriticalityanalysesforthestorageofspent

pg.26

Id IAEA Article Reference Question/Comment Answer fuelinanindependentspentfuelstorageinstallation.Ifanyapplicantswantedtoclaimcredit forGdinitscriticalityanalysesNRCwouldreviewtherequestonacasebycasebasis.

83 General General CantheUSAdescribeanymeasuresithastakentointegratesafetyand securityinspentfuelmanagement,asperthePresidentsreportfromthe previousreview?

IntheU.S.,NuclearRegulatoryCommission(NRC) spentfuelregulationsforthesafetyof spentfuelpoolstorageatcommercialnuclearpowerplantsarecontainedinTitle10ofthe FederalCodeofRegulations(CFR)part50(DomesticLicensingofProductionandUtilization Facilities),andsafetyrequirementsfordryspentfuelstorageandspentfuelpoolstoragenot colocatedatanuclearpowerplantarein10CFRpart72(LicensingRequirementsforthe IndependentStorageofSpentNuclearFuelandHighLevelRadioactiveWaste,andReactor RelatedGreaterthanClassCWaste).Securityregulationsforthesefacilitiesarein10CFRpart 73(PhysicalProtectionofPlantsandMaterials).Theseregulationsworkinanintegrated fashiontoensurethesafetyandsecurityofspentfuelmanagement.

84 General p.13 SectionA.4.5reportsincidentsinWIPPwhich havetakenplacein2014.Were thereanyincidentsduringthereportingperiodof20112013?

TwooffnormalincidentsattheWasteIsolationPilotPlant(WIPP)wereinvestigatedbythe EnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA),asdescribedbelow.OnDecember7,2011,EPA receivedareportthatwastehadbeenreceivedatWIPPwithexternalsurfacecontamination onthepayloadinsidetheshippingcontainer.Furtherinvestigationandlaboratoryanalysis supportedthehypothesisthatthecontaminationresultedfromthedecayofradonprogeny, andthatnolossofcontainmenthadoccurred.ThepayloadwasclearedbyWIPPRadiation Control.OnJune20,2012,EPAwasnotifiedthatadrumhadbeenpuncturedbyaforkliftin theundergroundonthepreviousday(Panel6,Room5).Thedrumwasa100galloncontainer holdingsupercompactedpucksfromtheIdahoNationalLabattheAdvancedMixedWaste TreatmentProject.Theincidentwasimmediatelyreported,thefacilityshiftedintofiltration mode,andnoreleasewasdetected.

WIPPprovidedawrittensummarytoEPAandtheNewMexicoEnvironmentDepartmenton June21,2012(seehttp://www.epa.gov/radiation/news/wippnews.html#punc_drum2fora descriptionoftheincident).

85 General Page7/

A.4.1.1 Asexplainedinthereport,recentlytheUSAisfollowingtheapproachof ContinuedStorageofSFanditsdirectdisposalataHighLevelWasteDisposal Facility.Wewouldappreciateverymuchanyadditionalinformationonthe reasonstoselectsuchastrategyanditsadvantagesincomparisonwiththe reprocessingoption.

TheU.S.Administrations"StrategyfortheManagementandDisposalofUsedNuclearFuel andHighLevelRadioactiveWaste"endorsesmanyoftherecommendationsoftheBlue RibbonCommission(BRC)onAmericasNuclearFutureincludingaconsentbasedapproachto sitingfuturenuclearwastemanagementfacilities,andprompteffortstodeveloponeormore consolidatedstoragefacilitieswhilemakingprogressonageologicdisposalfacility.Full implementationofthisStrategywillrequirelegislation.TheDepartmentofEnergy(DOE)is undertakingactivitieswithinexistingCongressionalauthorizationtoplanfortheeventual transportation,storage,anddisposalofusednuclearfuel.

AsnotedintheStrategy,theBRCconcludedthatitisprematureatthispointfortheU.S.to commitirreversiblytoanyparticularfuelcycleasamatterofgovernmentpolicyand pointedoutthatitisverylikelythatdisposalwillbeneededtosafelymanageatleastsome portionoftheexistingcommercial[usednuclearfuel]inventory.Evenifaclosedfuelcycle weretobeadoptedinthefuture,permanentgeologicdisposalwillstillberequiredfor residualhighlevelradioactivewaste.Cost,nonproliferation,nationalsecurity,environmental concerns,andtechnologylimitationsaresomeoftheconcernsthatwouldneedtobe addressedbeforeanyfuturedecisiontoclosetheU.S.fuelcyclethroughtheuseofrecycling wouldbemade.Thesefactorsreinforcethelikelihoodthattheoncethroughfuelcyclewill continueatleastforthenextfewdecades.Nevertheless,consistentwithpastpracticeandthe BRCsrecommendations,DOEwillcontinuetoconductresearchonadvancedfuelcyclesto informdecisionsonnewtechnologiesthatmaycontributetomeetingtheUSsfutureenergy demandswhilesupportingnonproliferationandusednuclearfuelandhighlevelradioactive wastemanagementobjectives.

pg.27

Id IAEA Article Reference Question/Comment Answer The2014revisionofTitle10oftheCodeofFederalRegulations(CFR)51.23codifiesthe NuclearRegulatoryCommissions(NRCs)genericdeterminationregardingtheenvironmental impactsofthecontinuedstorageofspentnuclearfuelbeyondareactor'slicensedlifefor operationandpriortoultimatedisposal.NRCpreparedafinalgenericenvironmentalimpact statement(EIS)(NUREG2157,GenericEnvironmentalImpactStatementforContinued StorageofSpentNuclearFuel(http://www.nrc.gov/readingrm/doc collections/nuregs/staff/sr2157/)whichprovidesadetailedevaluationoftheenvironmental impactsofcontinuedstorageofspentnuclearfuelbeyondthelicensedlifeforoperationofa reactor,theconclusionsofwhichwereincorporatedinthisfinalrule.TheCommissionfound thatthisevaluationwasapplicablegenerically.Thefinalrulealsoclarifiesthatthegeneric determinationappliestolicenserenewalforanindependentspentfuelstorageinstallation (ISFSI),reactorconstructionpermits,andearlysitepermits.Thefinalruleclarifieshowthe genericdeterminationwillbeusedinfuture,specificNRCenvironmentalreviews,andmakes changestoimproveclarity.Finally,thefinalrulemakesconformingamendmentstothe determinationsontheenvironmentaleffectsofrenewingtheoperatinglicenseofanuclear powerplanttoaddressissuesrelatedtotheonsitestorageofspentnuclearfuelandoffsite radiologicalimpactsofspentnuclearfuelandhighlevelwastedisposal.NRC'slicensing proceedingsfornuclearreactorsandISFSIshavehistoricallyrelieduponthegeneric determinationin10CFR51.23tosatisfytheagency'sobligationsundertheNational EnvironmentalPolicyAct(NEPA)withrespecttothenarrowareaoftheenvironmentalimpacts ofcontinuedstoragebasedupontheNRCsgenericdeterminationofthoseimpacts.EISsfor futurereactorandspentfuelstoragefacilitylicensingactionswillnotseparatelyanalyzethe basisfortheenvironmentalimpactsofcontinuedstorage,andasdiscussedin10CFR51.23, theimpactdeterminationsfromthegenericenvironmentalimpactstatementareincorporated intothesespecificEISsorotherenvironmentalevaluations.

86 General Page8/A 4.1.4 ThereportstatesthatofDOEsR&Dactivitiesistodevelopasuiteofoptions thatwillenablefuturedecisionmakerstomakeinformedchoicesabouthow besttomanagethespentfuelfromreactors.Anadditionalobjectiveisthe demonstrationoftechnologiesnecessarytoallowcommercialdeploymentof solutionsforthesustainablemanagementofspentfuelthatissafe, economic,andsecure.CouldUSAprovidesomeinformationabout achievementsandchallengesontherecentdevelopmentsoftheMixedOxide (MOX)FuelFabricationFacilityproject.

TheDepartmentofEnergy(DOE)conductedapreliminaryanalysisin2014ofoptionsto dispositionU.S.surplus,weapongradeplutonium,whichdocumentedthatthecurrentMixed Oxide(MOX)fuelfabricationapproachissignificantlymoreexpensivethananticipated.An independentassessmentofDOE'spreliminaryanalysisisongoing.

87 General Section A4.5,page 13 Accordingtoyourestimateswhenthewasteemplacementoperationscanbe resumed?

COMMENT:TheReportindicatesthattwoeventsoccurredinFebruary2014 temporarilyimpactingtheabilitytodisposeofTRUwastesatWIPP.

TheDepartmentofEnergy'sgoalisforinitialwasteemplacementoperationstoresumeearly incalendaryear2016.Fullreturntonormaloperationsisexpectedtotakeseveralyears.

88 General Section K.1,page 129 Whatprogresshasbeenmadetowardstheimplementationofthis recommendation?

COMMENT:TheReportstatesthat:TheBlueRibbonCommission(BRC)on AmericasNuclearFutureprovidedrecommendationsfordevelopingasafe, longtermsolutiontomanagingtheNation'susednuclearfuelandnuclear waste.TheBRCsfinalreportofJanuary2012containedarecommendation concerningtheestablishmentofaneworganizationdedicatedsolelyto implementingthewastemanagementprogramandempoweredwiththe authorityandresourcestosucceed.

TheAdministrationsStrategyenvisionsanewwastemanagementanddisposalorganization (MDO)toprovidestability,focus,andcredibilitytobuildpublictrustandconfidence.TheMDO wouldbechargedwiththemanagementanddisposalofcommercialusednuclearfuelandthe associatedinterfacewithpossessorsandoperators.Pendingenactmentofnewlegislationto establishtheMDO,DOEhasresponsibilityforimplementingtheStrategywithinexisting authorizations.DOEwilltakenecessarystepstoadvancetheprogramwhiletakingevery precautiontoavoidcompromisingthelaterabilityofthenewlyestablishedMDOtosucceed.

Atthistime,nolegislationhasbeenenactedtocreatesuchanorganization.

pg.28

Id IAEA Article Reference Question/Comment Answer 89 General Section K.1,page 129 Whatarethekeypointstobeincludedinsuchlegislationandhassome progressbeenmadealreadyindevelopingthenewlegislation?

COMMENT:TheReportstatesthat:TheBlueRibbonCommission(BRC)on AmericasNuclearFutureprovidedrecommendationsfordevelopingasafe, longtermsolutiontomanagingtheNation'susednuclearfuelandnuclear waste.Legislationisneededforfullimplementationofthe Administrationsstrategy.

ActionbyU.S.Congressintheformofnewauthorizinglegislationandappropriationsis necessarytofullyimplementtheAdministrationsStrategy.AsstatedintheStrategy,critical elementsforsuccessfulimplementationincludetheestablishmentofaconsentbasedsiting process,aneworganizationtoexecutethewastemanagementmissionandimplementation ofaprocessforlongtermstablefunding.AbipartisanSenatebillintroducedin2014wasnot enacted.

90 Planned Activities 25and 129 Pleaseprovideastatusupdateonthesitingprocessforthepilotinterimused fuelstoragefacility.Specifically:

Howmanysitesarebeingconsidered?

Whatinvestigationshavebeenconducted(geologicalandotherwise)?

Haveanypermittingorlicensingprocessesbegun?

TheDepartmentofEnergy(DOE)iscurrentlylayingthegroundworkforimplementinginterim storage,includingassociatedtransportation,pertheAdministrationsStrategyforthe ManagementandDisposalofUsedNuclearFuelandHighLevelRadioactiveWaste.Thereare currentlynoactivesiteinvestigationsbeingconducted.DOEisconductinggenericplanning withprogramstakeholders,buthasnotidentifiedanyspecificsitesforconsideration.

91 Planned Activities 38 AsreferencedtoinsectionD.2.1ofthe5thnationalreport(NR),thefourth NRprovidesadditionalinformationtheontheHanfordliquidwaste treatmentplant;specifically,thescheduleindicatedthatthedesignand constructionoftheHanfordliquidwastetreatmentplantwouldbecomplete by2013and2016respectively.Pleaseprovideastatusupdateonthedesign andconstruction.

TheschedulefortheWasteTreatmentandImmobilizationPlantiscurrentlythesubjectofa lawsuitinFederalcourt.

92 Planned Activities p.136, 145,146 Therearethesamelicenseeandregulator(e.g.DOE)insomeinstallations.

Howisitpossible?

TheDepartmentofEnergy(DOE)andtheNuclearRegulatoryCommission(NRC)eachhave responsibilitiestoregulatenuclearmaterialsunderU.S.law.NRCgenerallyhaslicensingand regulatoryauthorityovercommerciallicensees,butNRCgenerallydoesnothavelicensing authorityoverDOEfacilitiesandactivities,exceptasspecificallyprovidedinsection202ofthe EnergyReorganizationActof1974(e.g.,foraDOEIndependentSpentFuelStorage Installation).DOEexercisesregulatoryauthorityoverDOEactivitiesnotsubjecttolicensingby NRCinaccordancewithDOEregulations,Ordersandguidance,inamannerwhichisprotective ofhumanhealth,safety,andtheenvironment.

93 Planned Activities Subsection K.1page 129 ItemK.1referstheAdministrationplansforthespentfuelmanagement whichincludethelicensing,constructionandoperationofapilotinterin storagefacilityby2021,alagerinterimstoragetobeavailableby2015, besidetheprocessonsitingandcharacterisationofsitestofacilitatethe availabilityofageologicrepositoryby2049.CouldtheUSprovideinformation ontheongoingspecificdevelopmentsfortheimplementationofeachofthe mentionedsolutionsinparticularofthoseregardingthestoragefacilities?

TheDepartmentofEnergy(DOE)iscurrentlylayingthegroundworkforimplementinginterim storage,includingassociatedtransportation,pertheAdministrations"Strategyforthe ManagementandDisposalofUsedNuclearFuelandHighLevelRadioactiveWaste."Full implementationoftheStrategywillrequirelegislation.