ML20135E367

Press Release 96-178, NRC Amends Regulations Governing High-Level Radwaste Repository

ML20135E367
Person / Time
Issue date:	12/05/1996
From:	NRC OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS (OPA)
To:
References
PR-96-178, NUDOCS 9612110204
Download: ML20135E367 (2)

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United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission Office of Public Affairs Washington, DC 20555 Phone 301-415-8200 Fax 301-415-2234 Internet:opa@nrc. gov No.96-178 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Thursday, December 05, 1996)

NRC AMENDS REGULATIONS GOVERNING HIGH-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTE REPOSITORY The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is amending its regulations which govern the construction, operation and closure of a deep-underground, geologic repository for the disposal of high-level radioactive wastes which consist predominantly of used reactor fuel.

NRC has adopted these amendments to clarify existing requirements that govern the protection of workers and the public from radiation caused by a ranst of normal conditions and by accidents which might occur before a repository is permanently closed.

The amendments also make existing requirements more l consistent with other NRC regulations governing similar types of facilities, such as independent spent fuel storage installations.  ;

I Among other things, the amendments:

e Modify the definition of structures, systems and components that are "important to safety";

e Add requirements for the establishment of a pre-closure controlled area from which members of the public could be excluded if necessary; e Provide radiation dose criteria for protection of the public during accident conditions; and i e Clarify the radiation protection requirements for workers and members of the public during normal or otherwise anticipated conditions.

This final rule, which amends Part 60 of the Commission's regulations, reflects minor changes made as the result of comments received after publication of a proposed rule in March of last year. NRC began the rulemaking partly in response to a petition submitted by the Department of Energy. More information

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9612110204 961205 PDR PRESS R He-96-178 PDR

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, 1 is available in a notice published in the December 4 edition of the Federal Register.