Low-level radioactive waste management: an economic assessment

Technical Report · Wed Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1981

OSTI ID:5295484

Peery, R J

This paper has presented an overview of the economics of low-level radioactive waste disposal. It is hoped that this paper will assist the states in their efforts to determine their approach to the management of low-level wastes. Although the economies of scale realized by a larger facility are emphasized, the conclusion is that every state and region must examine its need for low-level waste disposal services and consider the interrelated factors that affect the volume of waste to be disposed, including waste reduction techniques, interim storage for not a single recommended capacity for a facility, but an acknowledgement of contingencies. In theory, per cubic foot disposal costs decrease as facility size increases. But theory does not preclude a state from constructing its own site, or a region generating small volumes of waste from building a shared facility. All factors should be weighed before a site is chosen and its size is determined.

• Research Organization: State Planning Council on Radioactive Waste Management, Washington, DC (USA); Southern States Energy Board, Atlanta, GA (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5295484
• Report Number(s): NP-2900892; ON: DE82900892
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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COST
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
ECONOMICS
LOW-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
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RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
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RADIOACTIVE WASTES
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WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTES