ML25196A109

03-15-78 Report on Decommissioning of Nuclear Facilities

ML25196A109
Person / Time
Issue date:	03/15/1978
From:	Lawroski S Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards
To:	Hendrie J NRC/Chairman
References
Download: ML25196A109 (1)

Text

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UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON REACTOR SAFEGUARDS WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555 Honorable Joseph M. Hendrie Chairman March 15, 1978 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555

SUBJECT:

REPORI' 00 DECOMMISSIONING OF NUCLEAR FACILITIES

Dear Dr. Hendrie:

For some time, the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards has been active in a review of problems associated with the decommissioning of nuclear facilities. For example, the CoffiiTiittee referred to this matter in its report on the Platform Mounted Nuclear Plant, dated November 15, 1972, and in its report on the General Electric Standard Safety Analysis Report (GESSAR-238) dated March 14, 1975.

Decommissioning was also the subject of a Subcommittee meeting held in Washington, D.C., on June 29, 1977.

In addition it was considered at the 214th and 215th meetings of the full Co1r.mittee held on February 9-11 and March 9-10, 1978, respec-tively. During the 214th meeting, the Comiuittee discussed this item with representatives of the NRC Staff and the Atomic Industrial Forum, Inc.

As a result of these interactions, the Committee has had an opportunity to review NRC activities in this area. ~he Committee expresses its agreement with the increasing importance that the NRC Staff is assigning to this topic and its concurrence in the selection of the following specific ite.11S for implementation:

1.

That the NRC Staff conduct a review of decommissioning problems associated with all types of nuclear facilities, including waste burial sites, so that priorities can be established fot addressing those problems requiring primary attention. These efforts should include con-sideration of the manner and extent to which decommis-sioning is site related.

2.

That the NRC Staff seek the advice of utility managers, architect-engineers, and vendors in the selection and evaluation of decommissioning alternatives to assure that, for given facilities, a range of choices is con-sidered. 'Ibis is particularly important because of the wide range of projected costs (person-rems and financial) associated with different approaches.

2031

Honorable Joseph March 15, 1978

3.

'!hat these evaluations include an adequate review of problems associated with the management and disposi-tion of the wastes resulting from decommissioning operations.

4.

That the NRC Staff continue to develop criteria and standards for decorrrrnissioning.

5.

That all such studies be designed to provide data that will enable licensees, suppliers, and architect-engineers to include in basic nuclear facility design key factors that will facilitate decommissioning operations.

Sincerely yours,

~--a,,.,/~

- ~t~¥i~n Lawroski Chairman 2032