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Forwards Summary of Responses to short-range & long-range Radwaste Problems,In Response to 791207 Request.Also Forwards List of State Legislative Actions Re Radwaste Disposal
	ML20125E300
Person / Time
Issue date:	12/12/1979
From:	Schwartz S; NRC OFFICE OF STATE PROGRAMS (OSP)
To:	Brown H; NATIONAL GOVERNORS' ASSOCIATION
References
	NUDOCS 8002060385
	Download: ML20125E300 (5)
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Central File POR Chairman P.Lohaus, WM

!!r. I!almes Brown GWKerr Director DSmith, FM Eneroy Procran

!!ational Governors' Association RRyan 400 H. Capitol Street Washinoton, D.C.

20001

Dear Mr. Prown:

On December 7,1979 you requested a list of what the States are doing with respect to low-level waste disposal.

The tioclear Reculatory Commission (tmC), Division of !faste fianacement has had preliminary inquiries from a number of States.

I There have been several levels or degrees in the response by the States, industry, waste qenerators, and others to both the short rance problem of dealino with waste beinq nonerated each day by hospitals, research insti-tutes, reactors, etc., as well as the lonoer term problem reoarding a more reqional inhalance in low-level waste disposal capacity.

somnarizes and characterizes the types of response and contacts we have received to date.

It should not be considered an all inclusive list. To assist in further characterization of response from States and to help in coordination of internal contacts with efforts underway within the States, the Office of State Pronrams has asked the Conference of State Radiation Control Procram Directors to query all States.

This inquiry will address the actions planned or being taken to examine what the States can do individually or in concert with other States on a reoional basis, to share w

responsibility and to deal with low-level waste being aenerated within their borders.

David lacker, Director, Division of Occupational Pealth and Radiation Control, Texas Department of llealth, Conference President, is directinq this effort.

By copy of this letter, I am requestinq tir. Lacker to send you a copy of the survey as soon as it is completed.

The NRC has a pronram with States called the "Agreenent States procram" whereby the Commission relinquishes regulatory authority ovar source by-product and special nuclear material in less than critical quantities to the States. At present there are 26 Aoreement States. They are: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Coorgia, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, t'ississippi Nebraska, Nevada, flew llampshire, Neu Foxico, New York, North Carolina, Morth Dakota, Orecon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Vashinaton. These States have recula-tory authority to license low-level radioactive waste storace or disposal facilities. At the present time we are aware of one pending application

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. is a list of State legislative actions dealing with radioactive waste disposal.

I hope this information meets your needs.

Sincerely.

Sheldon A. Schwartz Assistant Director for Procram Development Office of State Programs

Enclosures:

1.

Summary of Recent Responses and Contacts Regarding Disposal of Low-Level Wastes 2.

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o Summary of Actions and Responses 1.

Industry and Waste Generators 1.

Interest has been expressed regarding the establishment of new sites by Utilities, current site operators, and others (e.g. a truck driver).

2.

Interest has been expressed regarding the increase in existing storage capacity at licensee facilitics and in establishing a central storage facility.

3.

Applications have been received to use incineration for institutic'i:

wastes (e.g. Oh! Dominion University in Virginia).

The Society of fluclear fiedicinc and Atomic Industrial Forc~ hn examining what they can do, particularly with respect to irrediate problems and assuring compliance with existing rules and regulations.

States 1.

Virginia,- 1he Governor has initiated a State study to characterize the problem faced by waste generators in Virginia, to assess options and to recorumnd a course af action Virginio should take to manage its wastes.

Stat f have had one preliminary meeting with State officials and state licenscos where the / udy was discussed.

2.

Connecticut - Staf f from the Energy Division of the Connecticut Office of Policy and Management investigated the low-level waste management probirm and drafted strategy and options documents for the State.

The i

docuients define the problem from the State's view and cutline many of the Ley technical and institutional issues such as the rolcs and respon-sibilitics of the States and various federal agencies.' The documents l

present an excellent overview and should be useful in State planning.

J 3.

Illinois - lhe Governor has appointed a subcon:nittee to investigate State generated waste and ways to handle that waste including a contral storage facility.

4.

Michigan - Plans to host a conference in January on regional siting of LLW disposal facilitics.

We understand this effort is being coordinated with 00E.

5.

New York - The State Department of Health has bcen examining options for disposal of wastes generated within the State including whether the Wes t Valley site could be reopened.

C.

Kansas - The Sta t.2 presently is reviewing an application to use the Lyons, Kansas salt mine for LLW disposal.

NRC is providing technical assis tance to the State.

7.

Other telephone or written inquiries from States asking for information about regulatory requirements for LLW disposal:

-- Missouri State Legislatdre

-- North Carolina Cuvernor's Task Force on LLW

-- Texas

-- West Virginia

-- 1ennessee

-- New Jersey

-- Ve rmon t