ML23067A224
| ML23067A224 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 03/14/2023 |
| From: | Irene Wu NRC/NMSS/DREFS/MRPB |
| To: | |
| References | |
| Download: ML23067A224 (1) | |
Text
The NRC is conducting this rulemaking to
- Consolidate and integrate criteria for near-surface disposal of greater-than-Class-C (GTCC) waste with 10 CFR Part 61 rulemaking activities
- Include requirements for site-specific analyses for all waste streams, including depleted uranium (DU) and GTCC
- Include graded approach for the compliance period
- Include transuranic (TRU) waste in the definition of low-level radioactive waste
- Address physical protection and criticality concerns in GTCC waste streams
- Provide for Agreement State licensing of certain GTCC waste streams The Commission issued SRM-SECY-20-0098 on April 5, 2022, to combine the 10 CFR Part 61 and GTCC/TRU rulemakings.
Integrated Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal (LLRWD) Rulemaking Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards Integrated LLRWD Rulemaking TRU waste GTCC DU Site-specific analyses
Challenges to the Current NRC LLRWD Regulatory Framework 1982 Assumption Current Practice Waste hazard duration Class A and B: 100 years Class C: 500 years Some defaulted Class A wastes are being disposed of in greater quantities than assumed and could cause hazards past these periods (e.g., DU)
Only U.S. Department of Energy enriches uranium DU only commercially available in small quantities Private sector entities are operating enrichment facilities Average disposed waste concentration expected to be well below class limit Blended wastes create wastes much closer to class limit GTCC waste disposal in geologic repository or by Commission approval Considering near-surface disposal for certain GTCC waste streams
Commission-Directed Changes for Integrated LLRWD Rulemaking Allow case-by-case application of new requirements Flexibility for facilities to develop site-specific waste acceptance criteria Consider site-specific, graded compliance period Allow Agreement State licensing of certain GTCC waste streams Allow single regulator for GTCC waste streams containing strategic special nuclear material Include safety case and defense-in-depth considerations
Anticipated Schedule for Integrated LLRWD Rulemaking Develop Proposed Rule that Integrates GTCC and 10 CFR Part 61 Rulemaking Hold Public Meetings and Comment Period Submit to Commission for Approval Develop Final Rule Revise NUREG-2175 and Develop GTCC Guidance Hold for Commission Approval of Proposed Rule Submit to Commission for Final Approval Publish Proposed Rule Hold Public Meetings and Comment Period Issue Final Guidance Publish Draft Guidance Develop Final Guidance Rulemaking November 2023 Publish Final Rule November 2025 Hold for Commission Approval of Final Rule Guidance For up-to-date schedule information, go to the NRCs Planned Rulemaking Activities website.
Contact Information for Integrated LLRWD Rulemaking George Tartal, Rulemaking PM george.tartal@nrc.gov; (301) 415-0016 Cardelia Maupin, GTCC Technical PM cardelia.maupin@nrc.gov; (301) 415-4127 Priya Yadav, 10 CFR Part 61 Technical PM priya.yadav@nrc.gov; (301) 415-6667 Integrated LLRWD Rulemaking website NRC Rulemaking Process website