NRC Generic Letter 1981-39

NRC Generic Letter 1981-039: NRC Volume Reduction Policy

ML031210460
Person / Time
Site:	Beaver Valley, Hatch, Monticello, Calvert Cliffs, Dresden, Davis Besse, Peach Bottom, Browns Ferry, Salem, Oconee, Mcguire, Nine Mile Point, Palisades, Palo Verde, Perry, Indian Point, Fermi, Kewaunee, Catawba, Harris, Wolf Creek, Saint Lucie, Oyster Creek, Watts Bar, Hope Creek, Grand Gulf, Cooper, Sequoyah, Byron, Pilgrim, Arkansas Nuclear, Three Mile Island, Braidwood, Susquehanna, Prairie Island, Columbia, Brunswick, Surry, Limerick, North Anna, Turkey Point, River Bend, Vermont Yankee, Haddam Neck, Ginna, Diablo Canyon, Callaway, Vogtle, Waterford, Duane Arnold, Farley, Sterling, Robinson, South Texas, San Onofre, Cook, Yankee Rowe, Maine Yankee, Quad Cities, Humboldt Bay, La Crosse, New Haven, Big Rock Point, Rancho Seco, Zion, Midland, Bellefonte, Fort Calhoun, FitzPatrick, McGuire, LaSalle, 05000514, 05000363, 05000599, 05000000, 05000515, 05000355, 05000502, 05000600, 05000452, Zimmer, 05000471, 05000453, 05000516, 05000517, 05000580, 05000581, 05000376, Fort Saint Vrain, Washington Public Power Supply System, Shoreham, MIT Nuclear Research Reactor, Satsop, Trojan, Bailly, Allens Creek, Perkins, Cherokee, Black Fox, Hartsville, Phipps Bend, Yellow Creek
Issue date:	11/30/1981
From:	Eisenhut D Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
To:
References
GL-81-039, NUDOCS 8112010001
Download: ML031210460 (4)

KN9. maUNI~e&TES

NUCLEAR RXGULATORY COMMISSION

WAS.UNGN, D. C. 20555 November 30, 1981 TO: ALL POWER REACTOR LICENSEES AND APPLICANTS

FOR OPERATING LICENSES AND HOLDERS OF

CONSTRUCTION PERMITS

SUBJECT: NRC VOLUME REDUCTION POLICY (GENERIC LETTER NO. 81-39)

'm-, On October 16, 1981, the U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)

published in the Federal Register (Vol. 46, No. 200, pp. 51100-51101)

>* a policy statemen-ton Low-Level Radioactive Waste Volume Reduction.

The policy statement addresses: (1) the need for a volume reduction policy, and (2)the need for waste generators to minimize the quantity of waste produced. The policy also states the NRC will take expedi- tious action on requests for the licensing of volume reduction systems.

In order to assure that all licensees and Agreement State authorities are aware of this volume reduction policy, we are enclosing a copy of.

the Federal Register Notice for your use.

In addition to the volume reduction policy statement, the NRC has recently published a report prepared by Teknekron, Inc., entitled

"Volume Reduction Techniques in Low-Level Radioactive Waste Management, NUREG/CR-2206. This report presents a detailed compilation of volume reduction techniques for wastes generated in fuel cycle and non-fuel cycle facilities. A detailed economic analysis is also presented for several techniques used at the waste generator's site and on a regional basis. This document is available through:

GPO Sales Program ($14.00)

Technical Information and Document Control U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C. 20555 or National Technical Information Service Springfield, Virginia 22161 Sincerely, Darrell G. Eisenhut, Director OIC r A Division of Licensing o2Office

_n le? of Nuclear Reactor Regulation OFFICEFDil ....... I210 1 .......

SURNAME isenhut 0IFR

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.ATE.

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OFFICIAL RECORD COPY COPY

• USOPO: 1980-32982

• U6GPO: 1980-329-82.

' NRC FORM 318 NRC FORM 318110/801 NRCM 0240

410/80) NRCM

OFFICIAL RECORD

TO: ALL POWER REACTOR LICENSEES

SUBJECT: NRC VOLUME REDUCTION POLICY

On October 16, 1981, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) published in the Federal Register (Vol. 46, No. 200, pp 51100-51101) a policy statement on Low-Level Radioactive Waste Volume Reduction. The policy statement addresses: (1) the need for a volume reduction policy; and (2) the need for waste generators to minimize the quantity of waste produced. The policy also states the NRC will take expeditious action on requests for the licensing of volume reduction systems.

In order to assure that all licensees and Agreement State authorities are aware of this volume reduction policy, we are enclosing a copy of the Federal Register notice for your use.

In addition to the volume reduction policy statement, the NRC has recently published a report prepared by Teknekron, Inc., entitled, "Volume Reduction Techniques in Low-Level Radioactive Waste Management, NUREG/CR-2206. This report presents a detailed compilation of volume reduction techniques for wastes generated in fuel cycle and non-fuel cycle facilities. A detailed economic analysis is also presented for several techniques used at the waste generator's site and on a regional basis. This document is available through:

GPO Sales Program Technical Information and Document Control U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C. 20555 or National Technical Information Service Springfield, Virginia 22161 Sincerely, Robert E. Br uty Director Division of Waste Management Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards

Federal Register / Vol. 48. No. 200 / Friday. October 16. 1981 / Notices1 51101 Policy Statement on Low-Level Wlaste The Commission acknowledges the plant equipment and maintenance so as Volume Reduction active role taken by some nuclear to minimize conditions which result in AGENCr. Nuclear Regulatory Industry groups to encourage volume increased waste generation.

Commission. reduction practices among their Apart from efforts to reduce waste membership. The increased awareness volumes by administrative controls, ACTION: Policy statement on low-level of the industry Is reflected in stepped-up licensees mnay benefit further by waste volume reduction. efforts to reduce the volumes of waste applying advanced volume reduction SUMmARY. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory generated and by applications to equipment to their processes.

Commission (NRC) has established a implement waste processing systems by A number of volume reduction policy regarding the volume reduction of aCommission growing number of licensees. The believes that a positive techniques are In varying stages of low-level radioactive waste. The policy development. These include, but are not statement addresses: (1)The need for statement of policy will add greater limited to: (1)Incinerators; (2)

volume reduction policy; and (2)the impetus and encouragement to the evaporator-crystallizers; (3) fluidized need for waste generators to minimize industry efforts already underway. bed dryers; (4) thin-film evaporators; (5)

The Commission is encouraging exthvder evaporators; and (6)

the quantity of waste produced. The licensees to adopt procedures that will policy also states that NRC will take compactors. Waste compactors are in reduce the volume of waste being general use at many nuclear facilities.

expeditious action on requests for transferred to disposal facilities. NRC

licensing of volume reduction systems. Extruder evaporators are being installed believes It is In the best interest of in some power plants, while several

{A copy of this notice Is bing sent to all Iicensees and state authorities to advise licensees and the public that licensees extensively explore means by which utilities are looking into incineration aS

them of this policy.) a volume reduction process.

waste volume may be reduced. The NRC Treatment or disposal of licensed EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 1981. Views volume reduction activities as a FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

CONTACT

two-step system. The first, volume material by incineration requires Robert E. Browning. Deputy Director. minimization, Is capable of immediate Commission approval under 10 CFR

Division of Waste Management U.S. Implementation, since It requires only a 2M0.5. Other modifications required to Install volume reduction equipment at Nuclear Regulatory Commission. strict system of administrative controls Washington. D.C. 20555; Phone 301/427- on the part of licensee management to reactor plants can be accomplished

4200. without prior Commission approval accomplish. The costs for an under 10 CFR 5.9 unless the proposed SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: administrative controls program should be small, and these costs largely should modification technical involves a change In the specifications incorporated In Policy Statement be offset by reductions in shipping and the license or an unreviewed safety The Commission has established the disposal costs. The second step, If question. Non-reactor licensees who following policy: ,needed, would be installation of wish to apply volume reduction Ihe Commission hereby adopts a advanced equipment to achieve even - quIpment to their wastes should iolicy calling on all generators of low- greater reduction in-volume than Is -qontact the appropriate NRC licensing level radioactive waste to reduce the possible through the use of  : taff for guidance regarding licensing volume of waste for disposal; licensees administrative controls. requirements.

are encouraged to establish programs There are a number of means lhy The NRC staff Is available to consult commensurate with good volume which licensees may reduce volume with licensees regarding volume reduction practices. .- through application of strict reduction practices. NRC staff will The Nuclear Regulatory Commission administrative controls. Some of these cooperate with licensees in assessing (NRC) considers it desirable that are: (11)Planning of laboratory and the state-of-the-art of meihods for&'

licensees reduce the volume of low-level process activities prior to the actual achievement of volume reduction, and radioactive waste generated and operations; (2)provision of management -will take expeditious action on requests shipped to commercial waste disposal control over the generation of waste to for licensing volume reduction systems.

sites. Such action would. assure that all operations and plant

1. Extend the operational lifetime of equipment usage are conducted so as to Dated at Washgton, D.C.. ths 12th day of the existing commercial low-evel minimize leakage, spills, and volume of October i9g.

disposal sites; waste generated. (3)improved For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

2. Alleviate concern for adequate segregation of radioactive and non- Samuel J.( flL

storage capacity if there are delays in radioactive materials activities- and (4) Secretaryofthe C=mmission establishing additional regional sites, provision of trainin programs to assure IUMDcO1 sedE -1a sa L Reduce the number of waste. that personnel aretroughly , ILUNG CODlE 1501- shipments. eknowledgeable with laboratory and

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