Press Release-95-029, NRC Proposes Amendments to Regulations Governing HIGH-LEVEL Radioactive Waste Repository
| ML003705615 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 03/21/1995 |
| From: | Office of Public Affairs |
| To: | |
| Category:Press Release | |
| References | |
| -nr Press Release-95-029 | |
| Download: ML003705615 (2) | |
Text
No.
95-29 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tel. 301/415-8200 (Tuesday, March 21, 1995)
NRC PROPOSES AMENDMENTS TO REGULATIONS GOVERNING HIGH-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTE REPOSITORY The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is proposing to amend its regulations governing the construction, operation and closure of a deep-underground, geologic repository for the disposal of high-level radioactive wastes which predominantly consist of used nuclear fuel.
The purpose of the proposed amendments is to clarify existing requirements that govern the protection of workers and the public from radiation from a broad range of normal and accident conditions before permanent closure of the repository.
They also would make the existing requirements more consistent with other NRC regulations governing similar types of facilities such as independent spent fuel storage installations.
At the same time, the Commission is granting in part and denying in part a petition for rulemaking submitted by the Department of Energy which requested the Commission to address many of these same issues.
As proposed, the amendments would, among other things:
-- modify the definition of structures, systems and components that are "important to safety";
-- clarify the radiation protection requirements for workers and members of the public during normal or otherwise anticipated conditions;
-- add requirements for the establishment of a preclosure controlled area from which members of the public could be excluded if necessary; and
-- provide radiation dose criteria for protection of the public during accident conditions.
Written comments on the proposed amendments to Part 60 of the Commission's regulations should be received by June 19, 1995.
In particular, the Commission is interested in comments on the proposed radiation protection requirements for members of the public during accident conditions as well as the rationale supporting them.
Comments should be addressed to the Secretary of the Commission, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, D.C.
20555, Attention:
Docketing and Service Branch.