NRC: News Release - 2009-129 - NRC to Brief Public on Westinghouse Request to Dispose of Radioactive Waste in Idaho


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NRC NEWS U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
Office of Public Affairs	Telephone: 301/415-8200
Washington, DC 20555-0001	E-mail: OPA.Resource@nrc.gov
www.nrc.gov

No. 09-129

July 27, 2009

NRC TO BRIEF PUBLIC ON WESTINGHOUSE REQUEST
TO DISPOSE OF RADIOACTIVE WASTE IN IDAHO
Printable Version

Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff will hold a public meeting July 28 in Bruneau, Idaho, to brief members of the public on a proposal by Westinghouse Electric Co. to dispose of low-activity radioactive materials at the U.S. Ecology Disposal Facility in Grand View, Idaho.

The meeting will take place from 6 – 8:30 p.m. in the Auditorium of Rimrock Jr. Sr. High School, 39678 State Highway 78, in Bruneau.

Westinghouse is currently decommissioning its Hematite nuclear fuel fabrication facility in Jefferson County, Mo. Westinghouse has requested a license amendment and authorization from the NRC to dispose of some low-activity radioactive waste – including small amounts of “special nuclear material” (enriched uranium and plutonium) – at the U.S. Ecology facility. Westinghouse has also asked the NRC to exempt U.S. Ecology from the agency’s licensing requirements for radioactive byproduct material and special nuclear material.

At the July 28 meeting, NRC staff will explain the Westinghouse proposal and the NRC’s process for reviewing the proposal, including development of an Environmental Assessment. The staff will also explain further opportunities for public involvement, including the opportunity to request an adjudicatory hearing.

Westinghouse has requested authorization to dispose of the material at U.S. Ecology through a provision of NRC regulations at 10 CFR 20.2002. Information on this procedure is available on the agency Web site at http://www.nrc.gov/waste/llw-disposal/10cfr20-2002-info.html.

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