The waste isolation pilot plant: A new regulatory environment

Conference · Thu Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1992 · Transactions of the American Nuclear Society; (United States)

OSTI ID:5823720

Frei, M W; Schneider, S P ^[1]; Saris, E C; Austin, P W ^[2]

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1. Department of Energy, Washington, DC (United States)
2. Science Applications International Corp., Germantown, MD (United States)

The US Department of Energy (DOE) is ready to embark on a multiyear test program, using radioactive waste, at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP). The WIPP is a deep geologic repository, constructed in ancient salt beds in southeastern New Mexico. It was authorized by Congress in 1979 as a research and development facility to demonstrate safe disposal of the nation's defense transuranic (TRU) waste. Nonradioactive testing in the repository has been under way for several years. The DOE is now ready to begin underground experiments at WIPP with small amounts of TRU waste. Radioactive waste testing in an actual repository environment will reduce uncertainties associated with predictions of long-term repository performance. However, the authority for DOE to begin this new phase of the test program no longer resides within the department. The WIPP is now subject to a new level of regulatory oversight by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other federal agencies, as set forth by Public Law 102-579, the WIPP Land Withdrawal Act, signed by the President on October 30, 1992. This paper discusses the act's new regulatory requirements for WIPP.

• OSTI ID: 5823720
• Report Number(s): CONF-930601--
• Journal Information: Transactions of the American Nuclear Society; (United States), Journal Name: Transactions of the American Nuclear Society; (United States) Vol. 68; ISSN 0003-018X; ISSN TANSAO
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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