Environmental assessment strategies in support of the Nonproliferation alternative systems assessment program (NASAP)

Technical Report · Sat Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1977

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6708195· OSTI ID:6708195

Emery, R M; Warner, M L; Meyer, H R; Little, C A; Till, J E

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is currently conducting a Nonproliferation Alternative Systems Assessment Program (NASAP) to identify nuclear fuel cycle options that pose inherently low risks of nuclear weapons proliferation while retaining the major benefits of nuclear energy. During FY 1978, the desirability and effectiveness of alternative nuclear fuel cycles will be examined in terms of the cycles' proliferation risk, technical feasibility, economic feasibility, and potential environmental and health effects. Final recommendations based on these several assessments may be made late in FY 1978. Carefully planned, highly efficient research strategies will be required to complete the necessary assessments within the anticipated time frame. The purpose of this report is to identify and evaluate alternative strategies for organizing the environmental and health (E and H) effects assessment. Following a brief review of the range of alternative nuclear fuel cycles under consideration, the report consists of three major sections. A discussion of what presently appear to be the most significant environmental and health issues associated with alternative fuel cycles is presented in Section 2. Major choice points in developing an effective assessment strategy, and the range of options available at each, are identified and evaluated in Section 3. Section 4 summarizes conclusions and recommends courses of action for proceeding with the detailed NASAP environmental assessment.

• Research Organization: Battelle Pacific Northwest Labs., Richland, WA (USA); Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: EY-76-C-06-1830
• OSTI ID: 6708195
• Report Number(s): PNL-2415
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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055001 -- Nuclear Fuels-- Safeguards
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11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
220500 -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Environmental Aspects
98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL PROTECTION
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
ECONOMICS
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
FUEL CYCLE
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
NUCLEAR MATERIALS DIVERSION
PROLIFERATION
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT