Between stop and go: Managing LLRW in the Appalachian States Compact

Technical Report · Sat Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1994

OSTI ID:121090

Vincenti, J R ^[1]; Castagnacci, A E ^[2]

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1. Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park, PA (United States)
2. Duquesne Light Company, Shippingport, PA (United States)

This paper will address low-level radioactive waste (LLRW) management and disposal issues from the perspective of users of radioactive materials in the Appalachian States Compact. The user/generator community is particularly concerned about the uncertainty of access to waste disposal technologies and facilities and the effect it has on the ability to continue to manage LLRW in a safe, effective, and efficient manner. The user/generator community is also concerned about interim storage until the announced expected opening of the Compact`s disposal facility. The facility, according to Commonwealth of Pennsylvania officials (the host state), will not be operational before mid-1999. This estimate does not include delays, litigation, and other uncertainties during the siting process. ACURI, a trade association of licensees of radioactive materials in the Appalachian Compact, has expressed concern over the uncertainty and delay in the siting process, not only within the compact, but nationally. Signs of progress have been noted, but for the most part, many are slowed or delayed by political recalcitrance to the Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Acts of 1980 and 1985. The slow response of fulfilling the federal mandate, dating back nearly 15 years, is frustrating and deleterious to the well being of America`s diverse users of radioactive materials. The user/generator community senses that a national waste management crisis is looming when users of radioactive materials in 33 states may have to decide between {open_quotes}STOP or GO.{close_quotes}

• Research Organization: Arizona Univ., Tucson, AZ (United States). Coll. of Engineering and Mines; New Mexico State Univ., University Park, NM (United States); Waste-Management Education and Research Consortium (WERC), Las Cruces, NM (United States); USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• OSTI ID: 121090
• Report Number(s): CONF-940225--Vol.2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

05 NUCLEAR FUELS
COMPLIANCE
DELAWARE
LEGISLATION
LOW-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
MARYLAND
PENNSYLVANIA
PUBLIC OPINION
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
RADIOACTIVE WASTE FACILITIES
RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT
WEST VIRGINIA