Safeguards for spent-fuel storage with fuel rod consolidation. Final report

Existing NRC regulations were reviewed to define the reference requirements for spent fuel safeguards in the absence of rod consolidation. The risks associated with sabotage and theft were examined, together with requirements associated with the implementation of IAEA safeguards. Potential safeguards concerns were identifed and examined. A draft report was then sent to the organizations contacted and the comments returned were incorporated in the final report. No unresolved safeguards issues were found which should preclude licensing rod consolidation. The existing NRC regulations for physical protection and for nuclear materials accountability must be satisfied for any new storage arrangements, and additional accountability requirements should be anticipated. For the most part, however, these requirements should be straightforward, and the means to satisfy them are currently in the development and demonstration phase. New accounting procedures must be developed to ensure that the disposition of all rods is known, and that the special nuclear material content of each consolidation container is accurately stated. A substantial burden will be imposed on the utility if a requirement for independent verification of container contents is forthcoming, as might be anticipated if the facility is selected for IAEA safeguards