Interim on-site storage of low-level waste

The Low Level Radioactive Waste Policy Amendments Act of 1985 defined the time table for states to provide for the disposal of low level radioactive waste (LLW). Beginning in 1993, sited states can exclude access to waste generated outside of their region. Many unsited regions have experienced delays in terms of technical or siting difficulties. Unfortunately, the lack of progress in developing new facilities could leave the majority of nuclear plants without a viable radioactive waste disposal option in 1993. In this situation, it is likely that interim on-site storage of LLW will be employed until permanent disposal is available. The term open-quotes interim storageclose quotes means processing and/or packaging the waste for efficient and safe storage until permanent disposal is available. Safety, regulatory and technical issues make this task far more complex. EPRI has responded to this industry need by initiating research project RP-3800, Interim On-Site Storage of Low Level Waste. The purpose is to identify a comprehensive set of issues which must be addressed for interim storage and make them available in a single reference set. Users of these reports will be able to identify all of the items which affect their utility or plant. In so doing, they may remain confident that essential references, data and requirements are considered