NRC Volume Reduction Policy (Generic Letter No. 81-39)

                               UNITED STATES 
                       NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION 
                          WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555 

                             November 30, 1981 

TO:       ALL POWER REACTOR LICENSEES AND APPLICANTS FOR OPERATING LICENSES 
          AND HOLDERS OF CONSTRUCTION PERMITS 

SUBJECT:  NRC VOLUME REDUCTION POLICY (GENERIC LETTER NO. 81-39) 

On October 16, 1981, the U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) published
in the Federal Register (Vol. 46, No. 200, pp. 51100-51101) a policy 
statement-on Low-Level-Radioactive Waste Volume Reduction. 

The policy statement addresses: (1) the need for a volume reduction policy, 
and (2) the need for waste generators to minimize the quantity of waste 
produced. The policy also states the NRC will take expeditious action on 
requests for the licensing of volume reduction systems. 

In order to assure that all licensees and Agreement State authorities are 
aware of this volume reduction policy, we are enclosing a copy of the 
Federal Register Notice for your use. 

In addition to the volume reduction policy statement, the NRC has recently 
published a report prepared by Teknekron, Inc., entitled "Volume Reduction 
Techniques in Low-Level Radioactive Waste Management, NUREG/CR-2206. This 
report presents a detailed compilation of volume reduction techniques for 
wastes generated in fuel cycle and non-fuel cycle facilities. A detailed 
economic analysis is also presented for several techniques used at the waste
generator's site and on a regional basis. This document is available 
through: 

                         GPO Sales Program 
                         Technical Information and Document Control 
                         U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 
                         Washington, D.C. 20555 

     or 

                         National Technical Information Service 
                         Springfield, Virginia 22161  

                              Sincerely,  


                              Darrell G. Eisenhut, Director 
                              Division of Licensing 
                              Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation