Regulating underground disposal of radioactive waste in the United States

In the United States, a number of Federal agencies have regularoty, research or operational responsibilities in the area of nuclear waste management. In particular, the Department of Energy (DOE) is engaged in the treating and disposal of radioactive waste, while under various federal laws, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has wide responsibilities in this field. High-level waste on the one hand, and low-level waste on the other, are being studied under the current NRC research programme aimed at establishing appropriate standards and regulations to be applied in the management of radioactive waste. (NEA)