ML20044A670
| ML20044A670 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 06/28/1990 |
| From: | Kennedy J NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS) |
| To: | NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS) |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20044A671 | List: |
| References | |
| REF-WM-3 NUDOCS 9007020034 | |
| Download: ML20044A670 (5) | |
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90N 2 B 1990 HEMORANDUM TO:
FILE f 409.20 TROM:
James E. Kennedy
SUBJECT:
MitilliG WITH MAINE LLW AUTHORITY OfflCI ALS NRC staff met with Peter DeAngelis, Chairman of the. Maine Low-Level Rcdioactive Waste Authority, John Williams, Executive Director of the Authority, aid Stewart Thompson, consultant to the Authority, on May 3,1990, at NRC Headquarters in Rockville, Maryland. The NRC staff participating in the meeting are listed on the attached sign up sheet.
The purpose of the meeting I
was to discuss Maine's LLW storage and disposal options, particularly the i
feasibility and licensability of storage / disposal at the Maine Yankee site, including the possibility of using the Maine Yankee containment for LLW l
disposal after the 11 ant has been decommissioned. The Maine LLW Authority has been requested by t1e State Legislature to " prepare a thorough analysis of the feasibility of using the Maine Yankee site for storage and/or disposal of Maine's low level radioactive waste, should it become necessary to do so in-state.* Attached is a copy of the Legislature's request and the Maine Low-Level Radioactive Waste Authority's request for the meeting.
The three principle issues that were discussed, and the points made by the NRC staff were as follows:
1)
The licensability of a disposal / storage facility at Maine Yankee within existing federal rules and regulations.
Storage:
the NRC staff noted that storage of wastes at a licensed power reactor is addressed in NRC's Generic Letters 81-30 and 85-14. Wastes generated by a reactor licensee may be stored under the provisions of.
10 CFR 50.59 for a period of up to 5 years. Wastes generated off-site by other generators or which exceed the limits imposed by 50.59'may also be stored at a reactor site under 10 CFR Part 30 license, subject to reuewal every 5 years, for storage of wastes generated off-site, the NRC would also assess environmental impact and must be convinced that the consercial storage activities will be consistent with.and not compromise safe operation of the licensee's: activities, including diverting reactor management attention from the continued safety of reactor operations. A Part 30 license is required for this storage and a Part 50 license anendmen! may also be required.
Disposal: Wate disposal would have to be performed under a Part 61 license issuec by the NRC.
It was noted that for the Maine Yankee site, demonstrating that the requirements in Part 61 have been met may be difficult, Mven the proximity of the site to water.
The staff also pointed out that 61.50(a)(11) regarding location of a dispostl facility.
I at a site where other operations of other facilities could significantly
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n.ask the environmental monitoring program, would be a consideration for the Main Yankee site.
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2)
The feasibility of using the Haine Yankee containment building for either 4
a disposal or long-term storage facility once the plant has been deconnissioned.
The staff noted that any disposal using the containment building would still have to nect the requiremont in 10 CFR Part 61. Given that the containnent was not originally designed for waste disposal, 5
demonstrating that all of the requirements have been met could be difficult. The staff also noted that guidance for engineered structures is contained largely in the Standard Review Plan and Standard Format and Content Guide (NUREG-1199 and 1200).
With respect to storage after decommissioning, the staff noted that such storage would have to be done under the existing regulations in 10 CFR Part 30 and that design changes to address storage issues such as fire protection niay be needed. The staff also pointed out that the LLWFAA of 1985 requires that States have a disposal option by 1996, which is well before the planned decommissioning date for Maine Yankee.
3)
The feasibility and licensability of a long-term storage facility at the Maine Yankee site.
Staff reiterated guidance in Generic Letters 81-38 and 85-14 and noted the LLWPAA of 1985 requires States to have a permanent disposal option by 1996. Although the HRC has the regulatory framework for licensing of storage, as noted in the gencric letters, licensees should continue to ship waste for disposal to the extent possible and storage should be viewed as a short term intcriu step between generation and disposal, not as a substitute for disposal.
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am s E. Kennedy, Section Leader Op rations Branch tvision of Low-Level Waste Management and Deconnissioning Attachnients:
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i gfc.D STATE OF MAINE i
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES I
AUGUSTA, MAINE 04333 l
April 10, 1990
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l Mr. Peter DeAngelis, Chair f
Maine. Low-Level Radioactive i
Waste Authority l
99 Western Avenue I
Augusta, Maine 04330 l
Dear Mr. DeAngelist We are writing to you in response both to you 1stter to the Legislature of March 30th and to several conversations Authority members have had with one or more-of'us recently.
As you know, there is significant concern in the Legislature with i
respect to the process being undertaken by the Authority to locate an acceptable site for a low-level refabsetive waste storage and/or disposal facility in Maine, sabuld one be required.
In our view, this process should include an early i
analysis of the feasibility of using the Maine Yankse site for l
this purpose.
If technically workable, this site (if it were i
used) offers several major and unique public policy advantages.
First, its designation would render unnecessary the development of a major new nuclear facility in another Maine community.
Second, Maine Yankee produces the bulk of. Maine's low-level waste, use of the plant site for waste storage and/or j
disposal would mean that only minor amounts of waste would need to be shipped around the state.
Finally, the Maine Yankee site may be the only location in Maine capable of obtaining the multiple voter and regulatory approvals required under Maine law.
We strongly believe that these advantages clearly warrant i
special, priority consideration by the Authority of the Maine' I
Yankee site.
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In light of recent assurances that the-Authority.
l understands this, we have decided not to proceed with a resolution or actual modifications to the Authority's governing statutes at this time.
Instead, we wish to reiterate our i
strong desire that the Authority proceed as'a. matter of j
priority to prepare a thorough analysis of the feasibility of i
using the Maine Yankee site for storage and/or disposal of-I Maine's low level radioactive waste, should it become necessary.
to do so in-state.
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.v-l The Authority's study, in order to be most useful, should not exclude any reasonable option, including use of the existing containment building, if feasible, as well as other suitable areas located within the 740 acre Maine Yankee site l
for short or long term storage or disposal.
The study should l
take into account that under Maine law, shallow land burial of low-level waste is prohibited and that any storage and/or disposal facility must be an engineered facility.
Also, the study should take into account the extensive site studies and environmental impact statement prepared as part of the original federal and state licensing of the Maine Yankee plant.
(These studies examined geologic, seismic and other site characteristics in detail).
j Finally, we request that the Authority initiate its analysis of the Maine Yankee site expeditiously and have it well underway by the and of this year.
We will appreciate a thorough briefing on the status of this effort in January of 1991, when the 115th Legislature convenes.
Our request for this study should not be viewed as suggesting that the Authority halt its other technical activities associated with a statewide site search; both efforts can and should proceed simultaneously.
Your cooperation in this matter is greatly appreciated.
We understand the difficult nature of the task you have begun and your dedication and service as well recognized.
sincerely,
- F-Charles S.
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Dan A. Gwadosky Senate President House Majority ader
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James Mitchell Mary Clark Webster Chair, Radioactive Waste House Minority Leader Advisory Commission 4
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