The implications of RCRA (Resource Conservation and Recovery Act) regulation for the disposal of transuranic and high-level waste

Conference · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1988

OSTI ID:6788390

Sigmon, C F; Sharples, F E; Smith, E D

In May of 1987 the Department of Energy (DOE) published a rule interpreting the definition of ''byproduct'' under the Atomic Energy Act. This byproduct rule clarified the role of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) in the regulation of DOE's radioactive waste management activities. According to the rule, only the radioactive portion of DOE's mixed radioactive and hazardous waste (mixed waste), including mixed transuranic (TRU) and high-level waste (HLW), is exempt from RCRA under the byproduct exemption. The portion of a waste that is hazardous as defined by RCRA is subject to full regulation under RCRA. Because the radioactive and hazardous portions of m any, if not most, DOE wastes are likely to be inseparable, the rule in effect makes most mixed wastes subject to dual regulation. The potential application of RCRA to facilities such as the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) and the HLW repository creates unique challenges for both the DOE and regulatory authorities. Strategies must be developed to assure compliance with RCRA without either causing excessive administrative burdens or abandoning the goal of minimizing radiation exposure. This paper will explore some of the potential regulatory options for and recent trends in the regulation of TRU and HLW under RCRA.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-84OR21400
• OSTI ID: 6788390
• Report Number(s): CONF-881054-24; ON: DE89001689
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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053000 -- Nuclear Fuels-- Environmental Aspects
056000 -- Nuclear Fuels-- Legislation & Regulations-- (1987-)
11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
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Legislation
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ALPHA-BEARING WASTES
COMPLIANCE
DECISION MAKING
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
FUNCTIONAL MODELS
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
HIGH-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
LAWS
MANAGEMENT
MASS TRANSFER
MATERIALS
MITIGATION
MODIFICATIONS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
PILOT PLANTS
PLANNING
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
RADIOACTIVE WASTE FACILITIES
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
RESOURCE RECOVERY ACTS
UNDERGROUND FACILITIES
US DOE
US ORGANIZATIONS
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTES
WIPP