ANOI - GTCC Low-Level Radioactive Waste

Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 90 / Wednesday, May 11, 2005 / Notices 24775 reinstatement; (2) Title; (3) Summary of should be directed to Kathy Axt at her 1021.311(b), in order to inform, and the collection; (4) Description of the e-mail address Kathy.Axt@ed.gov. request early comments from, the public need for, and proposed use of, the Individuals who use a and interested agencies about the information; (5) Respondents and telecommunications device for the deaf proposed action, the preliminary range frequency of collection; and (6) (TDD) may call the Federal Information of alternatives, and the potential issues Reporting and/or Recordkeeping Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877– related to DOE’s decisions for this burden. OMB invites public comment. 8339. category of waste. Following the The Department of Education is [FR Doc. 05–9334 Filed 5–10–05; 8:45 am] issuance of this ANOI, DOE intends to especially interested in public comment conduct further activities to collect BILLING CODE 4000–01–M addressing the following issues: (1) Is updated information from licensees and this collection necessary to the proper DOE sites on waste characteristics and functions of the Department; (2) will projections to support the EIS analysis. this information be processed and used DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY As part of that effort, DOE may seek in a timely manner; (3) is the estimate Advance Notice of Intent To Prepare an assistance from industry trade of burden accurate; (4) how might the Environmental Impact Statement for associations, Agreement States, NRC, Department enhance the quality, utility, the Disposal of Greater-Than-Class-C and other appropriate entities. DOE and clarity of the information to be Low-Level Radioactive Waste intends to invite the NRC and the collected; and (5) how might the Environmental Protection Agency to Department minimize the burden of this AGENCY: Department of Energy. participate as cooperating agencies in collection on the respondents, including ACTION: Advance notice of intent. the preparation of this EIS. through the use of information technology. SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of DATES: Comments on this ANOI are due Energy (DOE) is providing advance June 10, 2005. DOE will consider Dated: May 5, 2005. notice of its intent to prepare an comments received after June 10, 2005 Angela C. Arrington, Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to the extent practicable. DOE plans to Leader, Information Management Case under the National Environmental issue a Notice of Intent (NOI) for this Services Team, Regulatory Information Policy Act (NEPA) on the disposal of Management Service, Office of the Chief EIS in the fall of 2005. The NOI will Greater-Than-Class-C (GTCC) low-level propose a range of reasonable Information Officer. radioactive waste (LLW) generated by alternatives for disposal methods and Office of Elementary and Secondary activities licensed by the Nuclear locations. After the NOI is issued, DOE Education Regulatory Commission (NRC). The will conduct public scoping meetings to primary purpose of this EIS is to address assist in further defining the scope of Type of Review: New. Title: Binational Migrant Education the disposal of wastes with the EIS and to identify significant issues Program (BMEP) State MEP Director concentrations greater than Class C, as to be addressed. The dates and locations defined in NRC regulations at 10 CFR Survey. of all scoping meetings will be Frequency: Annually. part 61, resulting from NRC or announced in the NOI, subsequent Affected Public: State, Local, or Tribal Agreement State licensed activities Federal Register notices, and in local Gov’t, SEAs or LEAs. (hereafter referred to as NRC licensed media. Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour activities). DOE also plans to review its Burden: waste inventories with a view toward ADDRESSES: Please direct comments or Responses: 52. including those wastes with suggestions on the scope of the EIS and Burden Hours: 52. characteristics similar to GTCC waste questions concerning the proposed Abstract: The survey collects and which otherwise do not have a path project to: James Joyce, Document information from State Migrant to disposal in the scope of the EIS, as Manager, Office of Federal Disposition Education Programs (MEPs) on their appropriate. DOE intends that this EIS Options (EM–13), U.S. Department of participation in the Binational Migrant will enable DOE to select any new or Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, Education Program (BMEP) to serve existing disposal locations, facilities, SW., Washington, DC 20585–0119, children who migrate between Mexico and methods for disposal of GTCC LLW Telephone (301) 903–2151, Fax: 301– and the U.S. and DOE waste with similar 903–3877, E-mail to: Requests for copies of the proposed characteristics. james.joyce@em.doe.gov (use ‘‘ANOI information collection request may be The Low-Level Radioactive Waste Comments’’ for the subject). accessed from http://edicsweb.ed.gov, Policy Amendments Act of 1985 by selecting the ‘‘Browse Pending (LLRWPAA) assigned to the Federal FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To Collections’’ link and by clicking on Government responsibility for the request further information about this link number 2755. When you access the disposal of GTCC radioactive waste. EIS, the public scoping meetings, or to information collection, click on This EIS will evaluate alternative be placed on the EIS distribution list, ‘‘Download Attachments’’ to view. locations and methods for disposal of use any of the methods listed under Written requests for information should these wastes. Potential disposal ADDRESSES above. For general be addressed to U.S. Department of locations include deep geologic disposal information concerning the DOE Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., facilities; existing LLW disposal National Environmental Policy Act Potomac Center, 9th Floor, Washington, facilities, both commercial and DOE; (NEPA) process, contact: Carol D.C. 20202–4700. Requests may also be and new facilities at DOE or other Borgstrom, Director, Office of NEPA electronically mailed to the Internet government sites, or on private land. Policy and Compliance (EH–42), U.S. address OCIO_RIMG@ed.gov or faxed to Methods to be considered include deep Department of Energy, 1000 202–245–6621. Please specify the geologic disposal, greater confinement Independence Avenue, SW., complete title of the information disposal configurations, and enhanced Washington, DC 20585–0119, collection when making your request. near-surface disposal facilities. Telephone: 202–586–4600, or leave a Comments regarding burden and/or DOE is issuing this Advance Notice of message at 1–800–472–2756, Fax: 202– the collection activity requirements Intent (ANOI), pursuant to 10 CFR 586–7031. VerDate jul<14>2003 16:48 May 10, 2005 Jkt 205001 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:FRFM11MYN1.SGM 11MYN1

24776 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 90 / Wednesday, May 11, 2005 / Notices This Advance Notice of Intent will be 1. Sealed Sources non-operating power plants in various available on the Internet at http:// Sealed sources contain radionuclides phases of decommissioning across the www.eh.doe.gov/nepa. in concentrated, relatively small, United States. As a result of reactor SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: encapsulated packages. These sources operations, portions of the reactor barrel are widely used in medicine, and other stainless steel components Background agriculture, research and industry. DOE near the fuel assemblies become highly GTCC waste is LLW generated by NRC funded a study by the Idaho National activated by the neutron flux. The licensed facilities with concentrations of Engineering Laboratory majority of this waste is generated when radionuclides which exceed the limits (Characterization of Greater-Than- nuclear power plants are established by the NRC for Class C Class-C Sealed Sources, Volumes 1, 2, decommissioned, although some may radioactive waste, as defined by 10 CFR and 3, DOE/LLW–163 [Idaho Falls, result from maintenance activities 61.55. The NRC defines LLW classes as Idaho: Sept. 1994]), which estimated performed before decommissioning. A, B and C by the concentration of there are about 250,000 GTCC sealed Many of these nuclear power plants are specific short- and long-lived sources in the United States. applying for and receiving license radionuclides, with Class C having the In the past, NRC has approached DOE extensions from NRC. Therefore, much highest concentration limits (see 10 CFR regarding the disposition of unwanted part 61, ‘‘Licensing Requirements for of this waste will be generated in the sealed sources that present security or future. According to DOE/LLW–114, Land Disposal of Radioactive Waste’’). safety and health concerns due to Section 3(b)(1)(D) of the LLRWPAA Revision 1, nuclear utilities will existing storage conditions. As a result generate an estimated 864 to 5,960 cubic assigns to the Federal Government of these concerns, DOE has been responsibility for the disposal of certain meters (packaged volumes) of GTCC- recovering domestic sealed sources activated metal LLW through 2055. GTCC radioactive waste generated by since 1992. This effort has focused on NRC licensees, which is not owned or those sources that were determined to 3. Other GTCC LLW generated by DOE, by the United States pose the highest risk, resulting in Navy from decommissioning vessels, or recovery, transfer of title and possession The third form of GTCC LLW consists by certain other federal activities. The to DOE, and secure interim storage by of material such as nuclear power plant LLRWPAA also specifies that GTCC DOE of approximately 10,000 GTCC resin, filter media and general LLW, which is designated a federal sealed sources. To date, no disposal laboratory waste (glove boxes, gloves, responsibility by subparagraph (b)(1)(D) path for many of these sealed sources wipes, smoke detectors), job wastes or of the Act, be disposed of in a facility has been identified. The September 11, other like debris from NRC-licensed fuel licensed by the NRC that the NRC 2001, terrorist events and subsequent fabrication, fuel testing, and research determines is adequate to protect public potential threats have heightened laboratories. Nuclear utilities will health and safety. The LLRWPAA concerns that individuals or generate an estimated 167 to 866 cubic further states that the Secretary of organizations could gain possession of meters of such waste through the year Energy shall issue a report these sources and use them as the 2035 (DOE/LLW–114, Revision 1). recommending safe disposal options for radionuclide source to make a such wastes. DOE issued such a report In addition, DOE manages waste with Radiological Dispersal Device (also radionuclide concentrations similar to in 1987. The report can be obtained by known as a ‘‘dirty bomb’’). According to contacting the Document Manager listed GTCC LLW. Under the Atomic Energy a DOE-funded study by the Idaho under ADDRESSES above. Act of 1954, as amended (AEA), DOE National Engineering Laboratory GTCC LLW occurs in three forms, as has the authority to regulate the (Greater-Than-Class C Low-Level discussed in the following sections and management of the radioactive hazard of Radioactive Waste Characterization: summarized in Table 1. The information its wastes; therefore, DOE does not use Estimated Volumes, Radionuclides and in Table 1 on waste volumes and Other Characteristics, DOE/LLW–114, the 10 CFR part 61 classification system, characteristics is based on reports that Revision 1 [Idaho Falls, Idaho: Sept. and most DOE wastes are not generated are approximately 10 years old and, 1994]), the expected volume of sealed by NRC-licensed activities. Some of therefore, may no longer be accurate. sources requiring disposal through 2035 these DOE wastes are very similar to Accordingly, DOE plans to conduct is estimated to be as high as 1,913 cubic GTCC waste in that they are low-level activities to update this information meters (packaged volume). wastes with concentrations greater than following the issuance of this ANOI. Class C and currently do not have an The reports identified below can be 2. GTCC-Activated Metals identified path for disposal. Much of the obtained by contacting the Document There are over 100 operating nuclear DOE waste that is similar to GTCC waste Manager listed under ADDRESSES above. power plants and approximately 20 is generated by AEA defense activities. TABLE 1.—SUMMARY OF WASTES BEING CONSIDERED FOR INCLUSION IN THE SCOPE OF THE PLANNED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT ADDRESSING LONG-TERM DISPOSITION OF GREATER THAN CLASS C WASTE Waste form Primary source Volume and activity* Sealed Sources Primarily medical, industrial, and scientific sources containing Total estimate through 2035 is up to 1,913 cubic meters, with long-half-life nuclides (e.g. americium, plutonium) and high a total activity industrial, and scientific sources of approxi- activity sources with shorter half-lives such as cesium-137, mately 4,040,000 curies. and strontium-90. Activated Metal Primarily from more than 100 nuclear power currently oper- As decommissioning of reactors proceeds over time, it is esti- ating, and decommissioning activities at 24 plants. mated that GTCC activated metal will amount to about 864 plants to 5,960 cubic meters, containing 38 to 102 million curies through year 2055. Other Waste ..... Assortment of wastes such as glove boxes, fuel fabrication It is estimated that the quantity of non-DOE waste in this cat- equipment, and trash resulting from source manufacture, egory will amount to about 167 to 866 cubic meters, con- research, utility, medical, agricultural and industrial sources. taining 6,962 to 19,707 curies through 2035. VerDate jul<14>2003 16:48 May 10, 2005 Jkt 205001 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:FRFM11MYN1.SGM 11MYN1

Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 90 / Wednesday, May 11, 2005 / Notices 24777 TABLE 1.—SUMMARY OF WASTES BEING CONSIDERED FOR INCLUSION IN THE SCOPE OF THE PLANNED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT ADDRESSING LONG-TERM DISPOSITION OF GREATER THAN CLASS C WASTE—Continued Waste form Primary source Volume and activity* DOE Waste ...... DOE also plans to review its waste inventories with a view to- DOE plans to develop an inventory, including volume and ac- ward including those wastes with characteristics similar to tivity estimates. GTCC waste in the scope of the EIS, as appropriate. * Volume and activity estimates were obtained from DOE/LLW–114, Revision 1. All volume estimates are packaged volumes. Purpose and Need for Action requirement that the Federal Invitation to Comment DOE needs to identify the facilities Government is responsible for disposal DOE invites the public to provide and methods for disposing of GTCC of other types of GTCC LLW from NRC- early assistance in identifying the scope licensed activities. DOE also plans to LLW and similar DOE waste. Pursuant and environmental issues to be analyzed review its waste inventories with a view to the LLRWPAA, the Federal in the forthcoming GTCC LLW disposal toward including those wastes with Government is responsible to provide EIS. DOE will consider public characteristics similar to GTCC waste in disposal for GTCC LLW generated by comments and other relevant the scope of the EIS, as appropriate. NRC licensees. DOE is also responsible information in developing a Notice of for the disposal of its wastes that are Potential Range of Alternatives Intent for publication in the Federal similar to GTCC waste. Currently, there DOE proposes to dispose of GTCC Register. are no facilities available for disposal of LLW in a manner that protects human Following issuance of this ANOI, DOE GTCC waste. Until disposal capability health and the environment. will initiate activities to update becomes available, the only option for Accordingly, DOE intends to prepare an information about the GTCC waste types managing GTCC LLW is to store it at its EIS pursuant to NEPA that would and quantities in need of disposition. current locations or to find a location evaluate reasonable alternatives for DOE will use this information to update that can receive the waste and store it disposal of these wastes. The scope of the data to be analyzed in the EIS. until a disposal facility is available to the EIS would include disposal capacity receive it. Preliminary Identification of that will be needed for (1) current and Programmatic Issues Discussion projected GTCC LLW generated by NRC licensees that does not have a disposal DOE plans to consider the issues In the 1987 report to Congress that pathway, and (2) DOE wastes with listed below in its analysis of the provided recommendations on the characteristics similar to GTCC waste potential impacts of alternatives for the disposal of GTCC LLW, the Secretary of identified for inclusion in the EIS based disposal of GTCC LLW. DOE invites Energy identified a number of activities on DOE’s inventory review. comment from Federal agencies, Native that could be undertaken regarding Alternatives to be considered include American tribes, state and local GTCC waste including resolving disposal in new or existing DOE or governments, licensees of sealed sources regulatory uncertainties, addressing commercial facilities, including greater and other GTCC LLW, and the public on technical issues, and taking steps to confinement disposal configurations, these and any other issues that should ensure that entities that generate GTCC geologic disposal, or enhanced near- be considered in the EIS: LLW bear all reasonable costs of waste surface disposal facilities. The varied • Identifying the best means to obtain disposal. forms of GTCC LLW may make multiple an accurate inventory of potential GTTC In 2002, the General Accounting locations and disposal methods LLW and DOE waste with similar Office (now called the Government desirable, and this EIS would evaluate characteristics including the source, Accountability Office or GAO) such options. volume, concentrations, and other conducted a review to determine the New facilities that could offer greater relevant characteristics. number of unwanted sealed sources in confinement disposal would include • Determining the logistics for waste the United States, to determine the capabilities such as boreholes, characterization, inventory, status of recovery efforts within DOE, to intermediate depth disposal, and other transportation, treatment, interim identify problems that may exist specially designed facilities. DOE would storage and permanent disposal. regarding recovery efforts, and to also consider which types of GTCC LLW determine the status of DOE’s efforts to could be safely disposed of in existing • Evaluating mechanisms and provide a disposal facility for unwanted commercial LLW disposal facilities and scenarios under which GTCC waste sealed sources. The GAO prepared a DOE disposal facilities. The potential could be safely disposed of in existing report, Nuclear Nonproliferation-DOE environmental impacts of using both and/or new LLW disposal facilities. Action Needed to Ensure Continued existing and new facilities owned and • Identifying and proposing Recovery of Unwanted Sealed operated by DOE as well as existing and resolution for issues associated with the Radioactive Sources, GAO–03–483, new facilities owned and operated by chemical constituents in the GTCC LLW recommending that DOE initiate the commercial licensees would be that may be regulated under the process to develop a permanent disposal considered. DOE would evaluate Resource Conservation and Recovery facility for GTCC LLW, and that it whether all waste types can or should Act (RCRA). develop a plan that would establish be disposed of in the same facility or • Identifying options for ensuring that milestones for the process, evaluate whether different waste types would the beneficiaries of the activities disposal options, estimate costs and best be disposed of in different facilities. resulting in the generation of GTCC address legislative, regulatory, and DOE would also consider quantities and LLW bear all reasonable cost of licensing considerations. Although GAO time periods when wastes would disposing of such waste. focused its review on sealed sources, require disposal and alternative modes • Identifying DOE wastes that are DOE recognizes the LLRWPAA of disposal. appropriate for inclusion in the EIS. VerDate jul<14>2003 16:48 May 10, 2005 Jkt 205001 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:FRFM11MYN1.SGM 11MYN1

24778 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 90 / Wednesday, May 11, 2005 / Notices Potential Environmental Issues for ACTION: Notice of open meeting. statements regarding any of the items on Analysis the agenda, you should contact Edith This notice announces a meeting of Allison at the address or telephone The DOE has tentatively identified the the Methane Hydrate Advisory following environmental issues for number listed above. You must make Committee. Federal Advisory your request for an oral statement at analysis in the GTCC EIS. The list is Committee Act (Pub. L. 92–463, 86 Stat. presented to facilitate early comment on least five business days prior to the 770) requires that notice of these meeting, and reasonable provisions will the scope of the EIS; it is not intended meetings be announced in the Federal to be comprehensive nor to be made to include the presentation on Register. the agenda. Public comment will follow predetermine the alternatives to be DATES: Tuesday, June 7, 2005, 8 a.m. to the 10-minute rule. analyzed or their potential impacts. • Potential impacts to the general 5 p.m., Wednesday, June 8, 2005, 8 a.m. Minutes: The minutes of this meeting population and workers from to noon. will be available for public review and radiological and non-radiological ADDRESSES: Hotel Galvez, 2024 Seawall copying within 60 days at the Freedom releases. Boulevard, Galveston, Texas 77550. of Information Public Reading Room, • Potential impacts, including air and FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Room 1E–190, Forrestal Building, 1000 water quality impacts. Edith Allison, U.S. Department of Independence Avenue, SW., • Potential transportation impacts Energy, Office of Oil and Natural Gas, Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 4 from the shipment of GTCC radioactive Washington, DC 20585. Phone: 202– p.m., Monday through Friday, except waste to a disposal site. 586–1023. federal holidays. Transcripts will be • Potential impacts from postulated SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Purpose of available upon request. accidents. the Committee: The purpose of the Issued at Washington, DC, on May 4, 2005. • Potential disproportionately high Methane Hydrate Advisory Committee Rachel M. Samuel, and adverse effects on low-income and is to provide advice on potential Deputy Advisory Committee, Management minority populations (environmental applications of methane hydrate to the Officer. justice). • Potential Native American Secretary of Energy; assist in developing [FR Doc. 05–9396 Filed 5–10–05; 8:45 am] concerns. recommendations and priorities for the BILLING CODE 6450–01–P • Irretrievable and irreversible Department of Energy methane hydrate commitment of resources. research and development program. • Short-term and long-term land use Tentative Agenda: DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY impacts. Tuesday, June 7 • Compliance with applicable Federal Energy Regulatory Federal, state, and local requirements. • Welcome and Introductions Commission • Long-term site health and • Joint meeting with the Interagency environmental impacts, including Coordinating Committee—8:15 a.m. to [Docket No. EG05–62–000, et al.] potential impacts on groundwater 12:30 p.m. Briefings on recent quality. accomplishments, planned activities, Wolverine Creek Goshen • Long-term site suitability, including issues and concerns by the Department Interconnection LLC; Electric Rate and erosion and seismicity. of Energy; U.S. Geological Survey; Corporate Filings Minerals Management Service; National EIS Process May 4, 2005. Oceanic and Atmospheric DOE plans to issue the NOI in the fall Administration; Naval Research The following filings have been made of calendar year 2005, which will be Laboratory; and National Science with the Commission. The filings are followed by a public scoping period. Foundation. Discussion of major listed in ascending order within each DOE will announce the availability of interagency issues, including activities docket classification. the Draft EIS in the Federal Register and with other nations, FY2006 budgets, and 1. Wolverine Creek Goshen other media, and will provide the reauthorization Interconnection, LLC public, organizations, and agencies with • Offshore Studies Update • Arctic Studies Update [Docket No. EG05–62–000] an opportunity to submit comments. These comments will be considered and • Open Discussion: future program Take notice that on April 29, 2005, addressed in the Final EIS. DOE will directions Wolverine Creek Goshen issue a Record of Decision no sooner Interconnection LLC (WCGI) filed with Wednesday, June 8 the Federal Energy Regulatory than 30 days after publication of the Environmental Protection Agency’s • Changes in Advisory Committee Commission an application for notice of availability of the Final EIS. structure: reauthorization, requirement determination of exempt wholesale for Committee members to be ‘‘special generator status pursuant to part 365 of Issued in Washington, DC, on May 4, 2005. Government employees’’ the Commission’s regulations. C. Russell H. Shearer, • Continue open discussion of future WCGI states it is a Delaware limited Acting Assistant Secretary for Environment, program directions and preparation of liability company that will own and Safety and Health. letter to the Secretary operate an interconnection transmission [FR Doc. 05–9397 Filed 5–10–05; 8:45 am] • Adjourn line that will be necessary to connect BILLING CODE 6450–01–P Public Participation: The meeting is the wholesale generating facilities that open to the public. The Chairman of the will be owned by its owners companies Committee will conduct the meeting to (i.e., Wolverine Creek Energy LLC and DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY facilitate the orderly conduct of Ridgeline Airtricity Energy, LLC) to the business. If you would like to file a PacifiCorp transmission system. WCGI Office of Fossil Energy; Methane written statement with the Committee, further states that the interconnection Hydrate Advisory Committee you may do so either before or after the line will be used by WCGI to transport AGENCY: Department of Energy. meeting. If you would like to make oral to the PacifiCorp system the power VerDate jul<14>2003 16:48 May 10, 2005 Jkt 205001 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:FRFM11MYN1.SGM 11MYN1

ANOI - GTCC Low-Level Radioactive Waste

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ANOI - GTCC Low-Level Radioactive Waste Document Transcript