Department of Energy February 25, 2011 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announces the availability of its Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Disposal of Greater-Than-Class C (GTCC) Low-Level Radioactive Waste and GTCC-Like Waste (EIS-0375D, Draft EIS) for public review and comment. The Low- Level Radioactive Waste Policy Amendments Act (LLRWPAA) of 1985 makes the Federal Government responsible for the disposal of GTCC low-level radioactive waste (LLRW) that results from Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and Agreement State licensed activities. DOE is the Federal agency responsible for the disposal of GTCC LLRW. In addition to GTCC LLRW, this Draft EIS also addresses DOE generated or -owned LLRW and potential non-defense-generated transuranic radioactive waste having characteristics similar to GTCC LLRW (referred to herein as ``GTCC-like'' waste) and for which there may be no path to disposal. DOE prepared this Draft EIS in accordance with the regulations of the Council on Environmental Quality (40 CFR parts 1500-1508) for implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and DOE's NEPA Implementing Procedures (10 CFR Part 1021). The Draft EIS evaluates the potential human health and environmental impacts of alternatives for disposing of an estimated 12,000 cubic meters (m\3\) of waste, containing approximately 160 million curies of radioactivity. This includes GTCC LLRW as defined by the NRC in 10 CFR 72.3, i.e., ``low-level radioactive waste that exceeds the concentration limits of radionuclides established for Class C waste in 10 CFR 61.55,'' as well as GTCC-like waste. DOE proposes to construct and operate a new facility or facilities, or use an existing facility or facilities, for the disposal of GTCC LLRW and GTCC-like waste. The Draft EIS evaluates alternative methods for disposal of these wastes at the following alternative locations: the Hanford Site in Washington; the Idaho National Laboratory in Idaho; at and near the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in New Mexico; the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico; the Nevada National Security Site (formerly known as the Nevada Test Site) in Nevada; and the Savannah River Site in South Carolina. The Draft EIS also evaluates generic commercial disposal sites in four regions of the U.S., and a ``No Action Alternative'' as required under NEPA. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is a cooperating agency in the preparation of this EIS.