ML19253A930
| ML19253A930 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 07/07/1978 |
| From: | Hendrie J NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| To: | Schlesinger J ENERGY, DEPT. OF |
| Shared Package | |
| ML19253A926 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 7909120518 | |
| Download: ML19253A930 (2) | |
Text
7 UNITED STATES o,
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
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g WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555
- July 7,1978
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oa The Honorable James T. Schlesinger '
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V A U W U b[u Ud Secretary of Energy Washington, D. C. 20555-i
Dear Mr. S.r.atary:
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The c:atter of the. safe disposal of radioactive wastes fro:n the nuclear fuel cycle is one of concern to both the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).
Recent developme;nts at the-cor=nercial low-level waste burial grounds have raisec the question of whether adequate regionally distributed disposal capacity for the nation's low-level radioactive wastes will be available at the currently operatine facilities.
Two of the six licensed commercial burial grounds (West Velley, New York and Maxey riats, Kentucky) are closed.
A third site, She=fisid, Illinois )
has rea:hed its licensed capacitv-(Public hearines will foe conducted on an a; plication for si.te expan'sion. )
A li mi t o f i 35,C'"~
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(the average mo7thly rate for 1977) has bee;) placed oy the State of South Carolina on the volume which may be accepted at the fourth site, (Barnwell, South Carolina).
Thus, a large fraction of _the waste from reactors anc other waste generators located in the Eastern and Midwestern Uniud States must soon be transported to the burial siter at Beatty, hevada, and Hanford, Washington.
In addition, an applicatior for a new comiercial burial site in New Mexico was withdrawn by the E:plicant cn 1:-i' 4
V e ry ' i t'. e
'l e xi bi'. ity exi sts i c::i cr.s f:r ;s.s te d-s; s il
' f Opera:i.nal prci. ems cevelop a the remainin; sites.
NRC believes that additional standby capacity should be me de available.
Because there is no prospect of opening new commercial burial grounts in the near future, we believe it prudent for DOI to develop a contin-gency plan which would allow the DOE burial sites te r :ep: ce=erci a.l iy generated wastes should the need arise.
Such a plen wouic5 be consistent with the Atomic Energy Commission's practices in the early 1960's, befo e a co.mer:ial disposal industry was established.
It is also consi sten: with the recen: DOE Task Force Report which su;; geste:
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all the burial grcunds be operated as a national syr:em.
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2-liRC also requests that you consider disposing of. waste from all DOE -
prime contractors at DOE burial grounds rather than at con::nercial
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burial sites.
Because the need is both importar}t and somewhat urgent, we would appreciate your imediate attention to these requests. The fiRC staff is prepared to cooperate with your staff on t'hese matters.
The fiRC contact is Mr. Sheldon Meyers, ~ Director, Division of Fuel Cycle and Material Safety.
Hr. Meyers can be reached at (301)427-4152.
\\' ncerely, Jo/ '
M. Hendrie sep.$
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