1. What is “Appalachian Compact”?
A compact formed by Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware and West Virginia under the terms of the Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Amendments Act of 1985.
Exclusionary Authority
Regional Facility

2. Low-Level Radioactive Waste (LLRW) Classification
NRC regulations (10 CFR Part 61) has specified a waste classification system for LLRW
There are three (3) classes of LLRW: Class A, Class B and Class C
The majority of LLRW is Class A waste

3. Table 1 Radionuclide Concentration, curies per cubic meter
C-14 in activated metal
Ni-59 in activated metal
Nb-94 in activated metal Tc I
Alpha emitting transuranic nuclides with half-life greater than 5 years Pu Cm 8 80
220
0.2 3
0.08
*100
*3,500
*20,000
*Units are nanocuries per gram

4. Table 2 Radionuclide Concentration, curies per cubic meter Col. 1
Total of all nuclides with less than 5 year half-life H Co Ni
Ni-63 in activated metal Sr Cs
700 40
3.5 35
0.04 1 * 70
150 44
7000
4600
*There are no limits established for these radionuclides in Class B or C wastes.

5. Status of Commercial LLRW Disposal Facilities
1. Barnwell Disposal Facility in South Carolina
Accepts Class A, B and C wastes
Closed to out-of-compact (Atlantic Compact) waste in July 2008
2. Energy Solutions (formerly Envirocare) facility in Utah
Accepts Class A waste from the entire nation except the Northwest and Rocky Mountain compacts
Not a Regional Facility
3. Richland Facility in Washington
Accepts Class A, B, and C wastes from the Northwest and Rocky Mountain Compacts
Accepts radium sources from other compacts including the Appalachian Compact

6. Closure of Barnwell and Survey of Appalachian Compact LLRW Generators
Conducted a survey of all LLRW generators
Only 29 out of 122 generators responded will be affected
On-site storage capacity varies from 5 yrs. (Government) to 20 yrs. (Medical)
No immediate adverse impact on the generators

7. Key Issues-Future of LLRW Management and Disposal
Will commercial disposal capacity be available for Class B and C wastes?
Will Texas approve WCS application for a LLRW disposal facility?
Will Class B and C generators have access to DOE facilities?
Is central processing, packaging and storage a viable option?
Will NRC provide additional disposal flexibility via guidance or rulemaking?
Can the use of RCRA facilities be expanded?
Will there be new legislation to address this issue?

8. Industry’s Approach to Address Class B and C Waste Management and Disposal Issues
Ensure Safe and Secure Storage of Waste
Develop operational strategies to minimize B and C wastes
Investigate and identify additional disposal options and flexibility for B and C wastes

9. Highlights of NRC Regulatory Issue Summary For Extended Interim Storage of LLRW RIS 2008-12
Summary of Issues:
Storage is not a substitute for disposal
Waste should be stored in a form suitable for disposal
Stored waste packages should be protected from elements and from extremes of temperature and humidity
Storage should occur in an area that allows for ready visual inspection on a routine basis

10. Highlights (cont.)
Consider a real-time waste tracking system that allows the location of specific package(s) during emergencies
Evaluate the potential for deterioration of waste packages and be prepared to repackage waste if needed
Take measures to prevent or mitigate the adverse consequences of potential decomposition and chemical reaction
Determine if additional shielding or other actions are warranted to keep exposure As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA)
Minimize exposure to workers

11. Highlights (cont.) Store waste in restricted area to ensure security
Follow increased control and related NRC orders for materials of quantities of concern
Develop and maintain a strategy and timeline for disposition and/or disposal of waste
Estimate the life-cycle-cost of interim storage for overall budget consideration
Supplement information contained in the RIS with guidance provided by other authorities for waste containing hazardous component

12. Authorization of Extended Interim Storage RIS 2008-12, Enclosure 1
Identification of waste to be stored
Plans for Final Disposition
Physical Description of Storage Area or Structure
Packaging and Container Integrity
Radiation Protection
Training and Qualifications
Financial Assurance
Emergency Preparedness
Security/Increased Control

13. NRC Position: NRC Public Website for Generic Communications:
“As a matter of policy, NRC is opposed to any activity at a nuclear reactor site which is not generally supportive of activities authorized by the operating license or construction permit and which may divert the attention of licensee management from its primary task of safe operation or construction of the power reactor.”
NRC Public Website for Generic Communications: