ML19247B577
| ML19247B577 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 07/18/1979 |
| From: | Hendrie J NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| To: | Ray D WASHINGTON, STATE OF |
| Shared Package | |
| ML19247B578 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 7908100179 | |
| Download: ML19247B577 (3) | |
Text
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UNITED STATES b#"
3 E ih IE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
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W ASHIN GTON. D.C. 20555 s %,, "
July 18, 1979 OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Dixy Lee Ray Governor of Washington State Capitol Olympia, Washington 98504
Dear Governor Ray:
Thank you for your letter of July 10, 1979, with Governors Riley and List concerning the transportation and disposal of low-level nuclear waste.
We are pleased to see that States with similar concerns have come together to address them in a unified and effective manner.
We believe that your joint letter represents a needed action.
Your position is clear to the Federal regulatory agencies involved anc should also be clear to low-level waste generators and shippers.
It facilitates the NRC's ability to deal with these concerns collectively and serves as a vehicle through which the NRC can work with the States in an effective and cooperative way. We want to work with the States on a unified basis to bring about some of the regulatory improvements which are outlined below.
Our augmented program to bring about improvements in the packaging, transport and disposal of low-level nuclear wastes includes the four ocints ' listed in your letter in addition to cthers.
The steps called fcr in your letter are addressed as folicas:
Tre discatch cf a trained tea. cf insoectors to re-f:m ecular si:e insce:: ions of octn :ne source cenerators an: :ne c: lie::crs of nuciear waste.
Inese inscections must incluce tne ocening of car: tainers.
Trained fT.C and DDT inspectors will perform such inspections on a aeriodic ocsis.
Tho greatest emphasis on package makeup will be directed at waste generators. We suggest that these inspectors be augmented by the Agreement State inspectors where appropriate.
We will work with the Agreement States to arrange for these inspections and will keep you informed of our progress and of steps that you might take to help us in cc.:letin; su:h arrangements.
Selected containers wili ne coened cu-ing One course of inspection.
I should pcint cut that scme waste
- lie::crs are nc: equipped to have packages opened at tneir f acilities
. i :r. o. : entange-in: personnel or risking contamination cf fa:ilities and rei
'icenses orchibit sucn activities.
In these cases, we will need
- "dentify cualified facilities to wnich tne selectec contair.e-s cay t e
- acer for cper.in:, inspec: ion, an; resac< aging.
S583C4 7 908100 O l
The Honorable Dixy Lee Ray 2.
The consistent and uncomoromisina enforcement of sanctions imposed whenever violations are discovered.
Enforcement action will be taken, in conjunction with DOT and the Agreement States, where violations of packaging and transportation regulations are found. We consider this a necessary ingredient to our inspection and enforcement program.
3.
The submission of monthly recorts to the three respective states detailing the activities of the team, including the number and locations of insoections and the findings of the team.
All reports of inspection and enforcement will be made public as they become available.
They will be forwarded to the affected and i nterested States by our Office of State Programs.
4.
The issuance of a joint announcement by the t'RC and the D3T~ to all scurce generators of nuclear waste nationwice containing cetails of tne new plan.
Sucn issuance will guarantee maximum imoact.
An anr.ouncement is being prepared for issuance by September 1, 2979.
It sill be coordinated with DOT.
5.
The clan must be imolemented by Sectember 1,1979.
With the exception of Item 4, which will be completed by Se'ptember 1, all activities are under way.
- r addition to these actions, the Commission is taking furtner steps to
- ring about inprovements.
Key to this effort is a rule change which the staff is reparir.; for Ccr.ission consideration which would alicaw NRC to e c:i: en#c ce DOT regulations at NRC licensee sites and tras signi#icantly
.:gr=ce ir.spection and enforcement actions in waste packapf ng and transportation.
SL:n a rule cnange would ce supplemented with new programs for inspecting transport activities and new enforcement criteria for violations of NpC-J T snipping regulations. We are also exploring ways to provice training ar.d packaging information for waste generators.
These regulatory actions are being supolemented by investigations leading ta improved design of Type A and otner low specific activity material packages, which. constitute tre bulk of packages shipped to low-level burial grounds.
- p ;e::er also mentions tne tirely impiamentation of a national waste mi,agemen: progra.
Tne NRC has supported the recommendations of tne
- -:eragen:y :.evie,, 3roup that the Department of Energy should cievelec a
.1:iorwice ;r:gra aimed at establisning regional caca:ity for disocsal f lO.-level "adiDactive Waste. We haVe an active crograr uncerway t
- i.il::
C. ::~: reb e".si.'s 5 5% of re;Llaticr.s, cu ices anc star.dards for ;ne 558305
The Honorable Dixy Lee Ray disposal of low-level waste and we expect that such an ac-tive program could serve to facilitate the development of regional sites.
The absence of such criteria has been noted as a major impediment to -the development of licensed sites.
Draft regulations will.be available for public comment late next year.
We intend to explore ways by which NRC can play an active role in the encouragement of the principal waste generators to assume responsibility for providing means ~te dispose of their nuclear wastes.
For example, we are investigating alternative methods for the disposal of liquid scintillation vials and will work with the medical research establishmemt.to offer them licensable options for safe disposal of this kind of waste.
Again, we believe the States of South Carolina, Nevada, and Washington ha"e taken an important step in dealing with problems of waste transport and disposal on a unified basis.
It will allow us to work together in an effective and cooperative manner.
Sincerely, I i
h M. Hendrie v.e Chairman cc:
The Honorable Richard W. Riley Governor of South Carolina The Honorable Robert List Governor of Nevada 55830G