Overview of the DOE waste package program

The U.S. Department of Energy has made significant progress toward the eventual operation of a repository for the disposal of high-level radioactive wastes in the United States. Following the process required by law and regulation, the draft EAs (EAs= environmental assessments) have proposed five sites as potentially suitable for characterization, and identified three preferred sites. Contracts are in place established for acceptance of spent fuel from utilities, and waste acceptance requirements are being developed for high-level wastes from other sources. Waste package conceptual designs have been developed for each of the candidate repository media. (orig./PW)