ML20034F911

Responds to 930128 Request for Info on Feasibility of Using Abandoned Exploratory Shafts from Oil & Gas Exploration for Nuclear Waste Disposal

ML20034F911
Person / Time
Issue date:	02/24/1993
From:	Taylor J NRC OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS (EDO)
To:	Bentley H HOUSE OF REP.
Shared Package
ML20034F912	List: ML20034F911 ML20034F914
References
REF-WM-1, REF-WM-3 CCS, NUDOCS 9303050179
Download: ML20034F911 (3)

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UNITED STATES E

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20556 o'b A%/

February 24, 1993 The Honorable Helen Delich Bentley United States House of Representatives j

Washington, DC 20515

Dear Congresswoman Bentley:

I am responding to your January 28, 1993, request for information on the feasibility of using abandoned exploratory shafts from oil and gas exploration for nuclear waste disposal.

I appreciate your interest, on behalf of your constituent, in this important area.

The approach your constituent suggests may be feasible, but those responsible for the development of such disposal techniques, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for high-level waste (HLW) and the States f ar low-level waste (LLW), are currently considering other technologies. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has only the limited responsibility for developing regulations for the protection cf public health and safety and for licensing of HLW and some LLW projects under these regulations. The disposal techniques selected by the i

developers must meet NRC standards, or similar regulations promulgated by the States.

Under the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, as amended, DOE is investigating the suitability of Yucca Mountain in Nevads as a potential site for the HLW repository. DOE is also developing a disposal technique for the Yucca Mountain repository. Thus, you may wish to request information on this topic from DOE.

Under the Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Amendments Act of 1985, States must develop their own LLW disposal capabilities or join with other States in compacts to share this responsibility. As a part of this process, States identify sites and techniques that they consider to be suitable for isolating radioactive wastes. To date, no State has selected the technology your constituent suggests, after considering all of the factors that affect their decision. These include the characteristics and suitability of potential sites, costs, and public acceptance.

I have enclosed NRC's Information Digest which describes generally the HLW and LLW programs in the U.S., for your information.

I trust that this reply responds to your inquiry about the feasibility of using oil and gas i

exploratory shafts for nuclear waste disposal.

l Sincerely, l

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a F M. T or Ejecutive irector

/ for Operations

Enclosure:

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February 24, 1993 The Honorable Helen Delich Bentley i

United States House of Representatitres Washington, DC 20515 i

i Dear Congresswoman Bentley-

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I am responding to your January 28, 1993, request for information on the l

feasibility of using abandoned exploratory shafts from oil and gas exploration i

for nuclear waste disposal.

I appreciate your interest, on behalf of your l

constituent, in this important area.

l The approach your constituent suggests may be feasible, but those responsible for the development of such disposal techniques, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for high-level waste (HLW) and the States for low-level waste (LLW), are currently considering other technologies. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has only the limited responsibility for developing regulations for the protection of public health and safety and for licensing of HLW and some LLW projects under these regulations. The disposal techniques selected by the developers must meet NRC standards, or similar regulations promulgated by the States.

j Under the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, as amended, DOE is investigating the suitability of Yucca Mountain in Nevada as a potential site for the HLW repository. DOE is also developing a disposal technique for the Yucca i

Mountain repository. Thus, you may wish to request information on this topic from D0E.

Under the Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Amendments Act of 1985, States must develop their own LLW disposal capabilities or join with other States in compacts to share this responsibility. As a part of this process, States identify sites and techniques that they consider to be suitable for isolating radioactive wastes. To date, no State has selected the technology your constituent suggests, after considering all of the factors that affect their decision. These include the characteristics and suitability of potential sites, costs, and public acceptance.

I have enclosed NRC's Information Digest which describes generally the HLW and LLW programs in the U.S., for your information.

I trust that this reply

~

responds to your inquiry about the feasibility of using oil and gas exploratory shafts for nuclear waste disposal.

3I""'rk:t,9 sigMd by James En9'aylpylor j

Executive Director

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