ML19346J929
| ML19346J929 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 11/28/1994 |
| From: | Dennise Orlando NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS) |
| To: | Ghareeb G AFFILIATION NOT ASSIGNED |
| References | |
| REF-WM-3 NUDOCS 9412190175 | |
| Download: ML19346J929 (2) | |
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UNITED STATES
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 2000C 4001 November 28, 1994 f
Mr. Gary Ghareeb 6502 Winans Allendale, MI 49401-9721
Dear Mr. Ghareeb:
I am writing in response to your recent request for information on the management of radioactive waste in the United States. Currently, regulatory responsibility for radioactive waste in the U.S. is shared by several entitles and, as such, I thought it might be helpful to summarize the responsibilities L
of the various agencies involved in the management of radioactive waste.
Under the Atomic Energy'Act of 1954, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) regulates the civilian uses of certain nuclear materials (called source, special nuclear and byproduct material) in the United States. NRC's mission is to protect the public health and safety, the environment, and the common defense and security. NRC accomplishes this mission through:
licensing nuclear facilities and the possession, use and disposal of nuclear materials; the development and implementation of guidance and requirements governing i
licensed activities; and inspection and enforcement activities to ensure compliance with these requirements. Some States have entered into an agreement with the NRC to regulate source, special nuclear, and byproduct material at non-Federal facilities within their borders, in lieu of NRC.
Inese States are referred to as Agreement States. S chigan_has not entered into one of these agreements with NRC and, as such, source, byproduct, and small quantities of special nuclear material are regulated by the NRC in your state.
Other federal agmcies are also involved in the management of radioactive The U.S.
7nmental Protection Agency (EPA) has regulatory waste.
responsibility for establishing radiation levels in the environment, including i
the establishment of criteria for exposure to the public from the disposal of radioactive material.
EPA also has regulatory responsibilit/ for, among other things, protecting humans and the environment froia hazardous waste and toxic materials, and naturally occurring radioactive materials' (NORM), such as radon. EPA regulates the management of hazardous waste under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the cleanup of sites contaminated with hazardous waste and NORM under the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (also called "Superfund"), and the toxic materials under the Toxic Substances Control Act. EPA also has programs l
allowing State agencies to assume regulatory oversight resoonsibility in lieu of the Federal program.
Finally, the Department of Energy (D0E) regulates the i
use and disposal of radioactive material at DOE sites and is responsible for siting, building, and operating a deep geologic repository for high-level j
waste.
i In 1980, Congress enacted the Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Act of 1980 111DWPA) which requires each State, either alone or in cooperation with other n
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.x States. (refereed to as " Compacts"),[to providh for the disposallof radioactive,
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/ waste' generated-within their' borders. L The LLRWPA also' allows the Compacts' to.
W exclude ~ waste generated outsidelof their borders from disposallat radioactive.
s z waste disposal-. facilities withinTthe. Compact.oSubsequent amendments to the-
!LLRWPA established schedules that, States had.to meet inLproviding'this:
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- disposal capacity.J As of November
- h,1990,L access to' radioactive waste.
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disposallfacilities in Washington; Mevada and South Carolina has been denied to Michigan radioactive waste generators because'Michagan failed to meet some.
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_ of.the milestones in the amended Act' This has forced many' generators in-'
P Michigan to store their radioactive waste' on-site,- pending the~ development ofi l adequate radioactive. waste disposal capacity.
s I have enclosed several pamphlets and brochures that discuss the management of y
' low-level radioactive waste, mixed waste and high-level radioactive waste in the U.S.. as well as add 4tional information on NRC and its mission.
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- Information on EPA's and DOE's radiation programs may be obtained by contacting the-groups' listed in these documents.
In addition, the League of Women Voters has. prepared-a pamphlet entitled, "The Nuclear Waste Primer" that may provide you with additional information.
I suggest you call the League's Washington office at (202) 331-4122 to inquire about-obtaining a copy.
I-hope you find this-information helpful.
If you have any further' questions-
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about the NRC's requirements for radioactive waste management, please call me at-(301) 415-6749..
Sincer ly Dominick A..'Orlando,- Project Manager
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Low-Level Waste and decommissioning Projects Branch
. Division of Waste Management
--Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Sateguards
Enclosures:
As stated TICKET:
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