Waste determination approach proposed by DOE can meet criteria

Washington (Platts)--30Dec2005

A waste determination approach proposed by DOE can meet congressionally
mandated criteria, NRC concluded in a Dec 28 report. A fiscal 2005 defense
authorization bill required DOE to consult with NRC on its strategy for
treating and disposing of salt waste at the department's Savannah River
Site. The bill required DOE to determine, in consultation with NRC, that
certain radwaste resulting from reprocessing of spent fuel is not high-level
waste. 

     NRC's technical evaluation report, released by the agency on Dec 29, said
DOE could meet the criteria in the bill, "provided certain assumptions made
in DOE's analyses are verified via monitoring." NRC spokesman David McIntyre
said the NRC's review "does not constitute regulatory approval of DOE's
waste management activities" and that it was DOE's responsibility to
determine "whether the waste is not high-level waste."

     For more information, take a trial to Nuclear News Flashes at
http://www.nuclearnews.platts.com.

Please visit: www.platts.com

Their coverage of energy matters is extensive!!.