Hazardous waste remediation: A 21st century problem

Journal Article · · Ground Water Monitoring and Remediation; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-6592.1994.tb00093.x· OSTI ID:5233584

Bredehoeft, J D

The United States, both the private and the public sector, is currently spending approximately $10 billion annually on environmental cleanup. In 1991, the Waste Management Research and Educational Institute at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, completed an exhaustive study that estimated if man continues to pursue current policies the total cost of the cleanup will be approximately $750 billion -- in 1990 dollars. This suggests that given current technology and the current rate of expenditure, cleanup will take 75 years - will into the latter half of the next century. The legacy of environmental problems associated with the weapons complex is enormous. The Tennessee group estimated that one-third of the total cost of cleanup -- approximately $240 billion -- will be borne by the Department of Energy (DOE). Currently, approximately one-half of the annual expenditures for cleanup comes from DOE -- $5 billion, one-third of the DOE budget. In contrast, the amount of funds for basic research on environmental cleanup problems is small. The federal governments spends less than $100 million annually for basic research -- less than 1 percent of the total annual expenditure of $10 billion. This level of funding for basic research seems shortsighted given the current status of cleanup technologies and the expected long duration of the problem.

• OSTI ID: 5233584
• Journal Information: Ground Water Monitoring and Remediation; (United States), Journal Name: Ground Water Monitoring and Remediation; (United States) Vol. 14:1; ISSN GWMREV; ISSN 1069-3629
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290300* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Environment
Health
& Safety
COST
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
POLLUTION REGULATIONS
REGULATIONS
REMEDIAL ACTION
WASTE MANAGEMENT