The Department of Energy on Friday issued a draft
environmental impact statement (EIS) on low-level radioactive waste disposal, with
public meetings set for April and May in cities near potential waste sites in
Oregon, Idaho, Washington, Nevada, New Mexico and South Carolina.
The EIS addresses greater-than-class-C (GTCC)
low-level-radioactive waste (LLRW) as DOE considers new and existing storage
facilities. GTCC waste comes from power plants, medical treatments, medical
diagnostics and oil and gas exploration, as well as other industrial processes.
The EIS and waste sites do not involve high-level waste like spent fuel.
In a release, DOE estimates current GTCC and GTCC-like LLRW in
storage at 1,100 cubic meters. The EIS estimates an additional 175 cubic meters
of waste will be generated each year over the next six decades. In looking for
places to store that waste, the EIS analyzes the potential environmental
impacts of using both new and existing waste facilities. Disposal methods
evaluated include deep geological repository, intermediate depth boreholes,
enhanced near-surface trenches and above-grade vaults.
According to the release, “disposal locations analyzed
include the Hanford Site in Washington; Idaho National Laboratory in Idaho; the
Los Alamos National Laboratory, the Waste Isolation Pilot Project (WIPP) and
the WIPP vicinity in New Mexico; the Nevada National Security Site (formerly
the Nevada Test Site) in Nevada; and the Savannah River Site in South Carolina.
The Draft EIS also evaluates generic commercial disposal sites in four regions
of the U.S., as well as a no action alternative.”
DOE has not yet identified a preferred alternative for waste
disposal, but a preferred alternative or combination of alternatives will be
identified in the final EIS. Before
making a final decision on disposal method or location, the agency would need to
submit its findings to Congress and wait for legislative action.
On Feb. 25, a Federal Register notice will start a 120-day
public-comment period. The DOE will hold meetings near the sites that are
evaluated in the Draft EIS for the disposal of GTCC and GTCC-like waste.
Meetings will be held in:
* North Augusta, S.
C. – 4/19/2011
* Carlsbad, N. M.
– 4/26/2011
* Albuquerque, N.
M. – 4/27/2011
* Santa Fe, N. M.
– 4/28/2011
* Las Vegas, Nev.–
5/09/2011
* Idaho Falls,
Idaho – 5/11/2011
* Pasco, Wash. –
5/17/2011
* Portland, Ore.–
5/19/2011
* Washington, DC –
5/25/2011