T11 Low-Level Waste Management—Aligning Regulations with Current Reality

This session will address the NRC’s current and planned activities to update regulations and guidance on the disposal of low-level radioactive waste (LLW). Presenters will discuss the current issues related to new emerging waste streams, such as large volumes of depleted uranium, as well as proposed waste management techniques, including large-scale blending of LLW. The session will also cover potential short-term revisions to the NRC’s regulations and guidance to ensure the continued safety and security of workers, the public, and the environment. The session will include a discussion of a range of options the staff is considering in the longer term to comprehensively update the 30‑year old LLW regulations in Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 61, “Licensing Requirements for Land Disposal of Radioactive Waste,” to make them more risk informed and performance based, so that they more closely reflect current and expected LLW management practices.

SESSION CHAIR(S):

Larry Camper, Director, Division of Waste Management and Environmental Protection, NRC/FSME

SPEAKERS/PANELISTS:

• Introductory Remarks

  Larry Camper DirectorDivision of Waste Management and Environmental ProtectionNRC/FSME

• Nuclear Energy Industry Perspective on Updating and Reforming Low-Level Radioactive Waste Regulations

  Ralph Andersen, Senior Director, Radiation Safety and Environmental Protection, Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI)

• 10 CFR Part 61: Time for an Update?

  Michael Lee Senior Staff EngineerNRC/FSME

• Texas: Path to Low Level Radioactive Waste Disposal

  Susan Jablonski DirectorRadioactive Materials DivisionTexas Commission on Environmental Quality

• Department of Energy Update of Low-Level Waste Standards and Potential Applicability to Part 61 Revisions

  Martin Letourneau Senior AdvisoryOffice of Environmental ComplianceOffice of Environmental ManagementDepartment of Energy

• A Waste Services Industry Perspective on NRC Regulation of Low-Level Waste

  Steven Romano ChairmanBoard of DirectorsUS EcologyInc.

• Preserving Public Confidence in an Era of Regulatory Uncertainty and Change

  Christopher Thomas, Executive Director, Healthy Environment Alliance of Utah

SESSION COORDINATOR(S):

James Kennedy, NRC/FSME, tel: (301) 415-6668, e-mail: James.Kennedy@nrc.gov