Management of below-regulatory-concern wastes at Duke Power Company

Since the late 1970s, escalating disposal charges and the uncertain regulatory and political climate have encouraged Duke Power to reduce radwaste volumes. Volume reduction is a philosophy that must be a fundamental part of an organization's priorities and must be incorporated in all aspects of nuclear station operation, maintenance, and management. In the same way that safety is a major part of nuclear station design and operation, volume reduction is incorporated in station directives, personnel training, organizational emphasis, procedures, process equipment selection, and operating methods. Volume reduction techniques have been chosen based on studies of each waste source. Several volume reduction techniques are applied to each waste stream. The most effective volume reduction technique is to eliminate or minimize waste at the source. There are two programs that accomplish waste minimization at the source: source control and below regulatory concern (BRC) disposal (alternative disposal). These programs are based on the premise that the most effective volume reduction technique is to eliminate or minimize waste at the source. Both programs have saved burial space and reduced our waste disposal costs