Geologic repositories for radioactive waste: the nuclear regulatory commission geologic comments on the environmental assessment

Journal Article · Tue Dec 31 00:00:00 EST 1985 · Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs

OSTI ID:60677

Justus, P S; Trapp, J S; Westbrook, K B; Lee, R; Blackford, M B; Rice, B

The NRC staff completed its review of the Environmental Assessments (EAs) issued by the Department of Energy (DOE) in December, 1984, in support of the site selection processes established by the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 (NWPA). The EAs contain geologic information on nine sites that DOE has identified as potentially acceptable for the first geologic repository in accordance with the requirements of NWPA. The media for the sites vary from basalt at Hanford, Washington, tuff at Yucca Mountain, Nevada, bedded salt in the Palo Duro Basin, Texas and Paradox Basin, Utah, to salt domes in Mississippi and Louisiana. Despite the diversity in media there are common areas of concern for all sites. These include; structural framework and pattern, rates of tectonic and seismic activity, characterization of subsurface features, and stratigraphic thickness, continuity and homogeneity. Site-specific geologic concerns include: potential volcanic and hydrothermal activity at Yucca Mountain, potential hydrocarbon targets and deep basalt and sub-basalt structure at Hanford, and potential dissolution at all salt sites. The NRC comments were influenced by the performance objectives and siting criteria of 10 CFR Part 60 and the environmental protection criteria in 40 CFR Part 191, the applicable standards proposed by EPA. In its review the NRC identified several areas of geologic concern that it recommended DOE re-examine to determine if alternative or modified conclusions are appropriate.

• Research Organization: US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Washington, DC (United States)
• OSTI ID: 60677
• Report Number(s): CONF-8510489-; ISSN 0016-7592; TRN: 89:009365
• Journal Information: Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs, Vol. 17; Conference: 98. annual meeting of the Geological Society of America, Orlando, FL (United States), 28-31 Oct 1985; Other Information: PBD: 1985
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

05 NUCLEAR FUELS
29 ENERGY PLANNING AND POLICY
RADIOACTIVE WASTE FACILITIES
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENTS
SITE CHARACTERIZATION
WASTE DISPOSAL ACTS
GEOLOGY
LOUISIANA
MISSISSIPPI
MONTANA
NEVADA
PALO DURO BASIN
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
SALT DEPOSITS
SITE SELECTION
TEXAS
UNDERGROUND DISPOSAL
US DOE
US NRC
UTAH
Yucca Mountain Project