Final environmental impact statement. Management of commercially generated radioactive waste. Volume 1 of 3

Technical Report · Wed Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 1980

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6932611· OSTI ID:6932611

This EIS analyzes the significant environmental impacts that could occur if various technologies for management and disposal of high-level and transuranic wastes from commercial nuclear power reactors were to be developed and implemented. This EIS will serve as the environmental input for the decision on which technology, or technologies, will be emphasized in further research and development activities in the commercial waste management program. The action proposed in this EIS is to (1) adopt a national strategy to develop mined geologic repositories for disposal of commercially generated high-level and transuranic radioactive waste (while continuing to examine subseabed and very deep hole disposal as potential backup technologies) and (2) conduct a R and D program to develop such facilities and the necessary technology to ensure the safe long-term containment and isolation of these wastes. The Department has considered in this statement: development of conventionally mined deep geologic repositories for disposal of spent fuel from nuclear power reactors and/or radioactive fuel reprocessing wastes; balanced development of several alternative disposal methods; and no waste disposal action. This EIS reflects the public review of and comments offered on the draft statement. Included are descriptions of the characteristics of nuclear waste, the alternative disposal methods under consideration, and potential environmental impacts and costs of implementing these methods. Because of the programmatic nature of this document and the preliminary nature of certain design elements assumed in assessing the environmental consequences of the various alternatives, this study has been based on generic, rather than specific, systems. At such time as specific facilities are identified for particular sites, statements addressing site-specific aspects will be prepared for public review and comment.

• Research Organization: Department of Energy, Washington, DC (USA). Office of Nuclear Waste Management
• OSTI ID: 6932611
• Report Number(s): DOE/EIS-0046F(Vol.1); TRN: 80-019230
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENTS
UNDERGROUND DISPOSAL
RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT
COMMERCIAL SECTOR
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
FUEL REPROCESSING PLANTS
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
HIGH-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
RADIOACTIVE WASTE FACILITIES
RADIOACTIVE WASTE STORAGE
SAFEGUARDS
SITE SELECTION
SPENT FUELS
DOCUMENT TYPES
ENERGY SOURCES
FUELS
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
NUCLEAR FUELS
POWER PLANTS
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
REACTOR MATERIALS
STORAGE
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE STORAGE
WASTES
053000* - Nuclear Fuels- Environmental Aspects
530300 - Environmental-Social Aspects of Energy Technologies- Environmental Impact Statements- (-1987)
052002 - Nuclear Fuels- Waste Disposal & Storage
290300 - Energy Planning & Policy- Environment
Health
& Safety