ML19247B588
| ML19247B588 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 07/18/1979 |
| From: | Hendrie J NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| To: | Riley R SOUTH CAROLINA, STATE OF |
| Shared Package | |
| ML19247B578 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 7908100203 | |
| Download: ML19247B588 (3) | |
Text
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[j ft UNITED STATES
.T,_. T.
E NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION 11, W ASWNGTON. D.C. 20555 July 18,1979 OFFICE OF THE C H A I R '.9 A N Tne Honorable Richard W. Riley Governor of South Carolina State House Columbia, South Carolina 29211
Dear Governor Riley:
Thank you for your letter of July 10, 1979, with Governors Ray 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 bel-ieve that your joint letter represents a needed action.
Your position is clear to the Federal regulatory agencies involved and should also be clear to low-level waste generators and shippers.
It f acilitates the IRC's ability to deal with these concerns collectively and serves as a vehicle through wnich the f1RC 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 bel'ow.
OJr augmented program to bring about improvements in the packaging, transport and disposal of low-level nuclear wastes. includes the four points listed in your letter in addition to others.
The steps called for in your letter are addressed as follows:
1.
The dispatch of a trained team of inspectors to perfor n recular site insoections of both the source c^nerators and the col lectors of n.c. ear waste.
Tnese insoections.must include the ooeninc of containers.
Trained f4RC and DOT inspectors will perform such inspectio ns on a periodic basis.
The greatest emphasis on package makeup will be directed at waste generators. We sugges that these inspectors be augmented by tne Agreement State inspectors wnere appropriate. We will work wi th thc-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 completing such arrangements.
Selected containers will be opened during the course of inspection.
I should point out that some waste c: lie: tors are not ecuipped to have packages opened at their facilities w'tho;t endangering personnel or risking contamination of facilities and 7.eir licenses prohibit such activities.
In these cases, we will need
- identify cualif jed f acilities to vhich the selectec cor. tainers may be taken for opening, inspection, ar.d repackaging.
USS310 7 908100 L@
The Honorable Richard W. Riley July 18,1979 2.
The consistent and uncompromising enforcement of sanctions imposed whenever violations are discovered.
Enforcement action will be taken, in conjunction with DOT and the Agreement States, where violations of 9ackaging and transportation regulations are f o u nt'.
We consider this a necessary ingredient to our inspection and enforcement program.
3.
The submission of monthly repor.ts to the three respective states detailing the activities of the team, including the number and locations of inspections and the findings of the team.
All reports of inspection and enforcement will be made pub lic as they become available.
They will be forwarded to the affected and interested States by our Office of State Programs.
4 The issuance of a joint announcement by the tiRC and the DOT to all source generators of nuclear waste nationwice containing details cf tre new Dian.
Such issuance will guarantee raximum imoact.
An announcement is being prepared for issuance by Septembe-1,1979.
It will be coorcinated with DOT.
E.
The plan must be implemented by September 1
'.979.
With t.he exception of Item 4, which will be completed by September 1, all activities are under way.
In acdition to these actions, the Commission is taking further steps to bring abcut inprovements.
Key to this effort is a rule ch.Inge which the staff is pre;aring for Commission consideration which would allow fiRC to cirectly enfcrce DDT regulations at !;RC licensee sites anc thus significantly u;;rade inspecticn and enforcement actions in was:e packag-ing and transportation.
Sucn a rule cnange would be supplemented with new programs for inspecting transport activities and new enforcement criteria for violations of f;RC-C3T snipping regulations. We are also exploring ways to provide training and packaging information for waste generators.
These regulatory actions are being sucolemented by investigations leading to improved design of Type A and other low specific activity material packages, which constitute the bulk of packages shipped to low-level burial grounds.
yyr let%r also ne U' cnr$f. procrar.ntions the timely implementaticn of a national waste na Tne l4RC has supported the recormendations 07 she Ih.
!J-M: C rm :dienC n.5 Group that the Departrent cf Erergy shculd develop a aimed at establishing regional capacity for disposal
$3 2,:[. j M r[doactive waste.We have an active prograr uncerway to c a comrerensive set of regulatior;, guice; and sti ncards f or he
Tne Honorable P.ichard 'n'. Riley July 18,1979 disposal of low-level waste and we expect that such an active program could serve to facilitate the development of regional sites. The absence cf such criteria has been noted as a major impedinent to the development cf licensed sites.
Draf t reguiltions will be available for public comnent 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 to dispose of their nuclear wastes.
For example, we are investigating alternative methods for the disposal of liquid scintillation viais and will work with the medical research establishment to offer ther licensable cations for safe disposal of this kind of waste.
A;ain, we believe the States of South Carolina, Nevada, and Washington have :aken an inportant step in dealing with problems of waste transport aid disDC5dl Cn a unified basis.
It will allow us to work together in ar effective in; cooperative manner.
Sincerely, J t
'^ : h M. Hendrie Chai rman Tne Fonorable Dixy Lee Ray cc:
Governcr of Washingten Tne F:norable Robert List 3:ver cr 3f *svaca b58312
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