Partnerships under pressure

Book · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1989

OSTI ID:5719463

Almost 5 years have passed since the Low-Level radioactive Waste Policy Amendments Act was enacted. The law establishes milestones and deadlines for States to develop disposal facilities for their low-level radioactive waste (LLW). Partnerships between States, called compacts, are encouraged to develop these facilities because of the small national volume of LLW. While most States and compacts are on track for developing facilities for most of their LLW, few States are far along in developing disposal capacity for mixtures of low-level and hazardous waste-so-called mixed LLW. OTA's study on managing LLW, including mixed LLW, was undertaken at the request of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. The Committee asked OTA to analyze States progress in developing disposal facilities for LLW and mixed LLW and to evaluate any existing problems in managing mixed LLW. This paper provides an overview of progress made by nine compacts and the remaining unaffiliated States in developing disposal facilities. Disposal costs have more than tripled while LLW volumes have dropped by more than half over the last decade. Since many costs associated with developing and operating a disposal facility are fixed, unit disposal costs will increase substantially as new facilities open. This may lead States to consider the economics of cooperative arrangements, which would permit them to trade waste services and construct fewer full-service disposal facilities.

• OSTI ID: 5719463
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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AMENDMENTS
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WASTES