81 FR 11550 - Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Disposal of Greater-Than-Class C (GTCC) Low-Level Radioactive Waste and GTCC-Like Waste

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 43 (March 4, 2016)

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE or Department) announces the availability of its Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Disposal of Greater-Than-Class C (GTCC) Low-Level Radioactive Waste and GTCC-Like Waste (Final EIS) (DOE/EIS-0375), prepared pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). This Final EIS considered public comments, including a Comment Response Document that addresses all comments received on the Draft EIS. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is a cooperating agency in the preparation of this EIS. The Final EIS evaluates the potential human health and environmental impacts of a range of reasonable alternatives for disposing of an estimated 12,000 cubic meters (m\3\) of waste, containing approximately 160 million curies of radioactivity. This includes GTCC low-level radioactive waste (LLRW) as defined by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in 10 CFR 72.3, i.e., ``low-level radioactive waste that exceeds the concentration limits of radionuclides established for Class C waste in 10 CFR 61.55,'' as well as GTCC-like waste which is DOE owned or generated LLRW and non- defense-generated transuranic radioactive waste having characteristics similar to GTCC LLRW and for which there may be no path to disposal. This Final EIS also identifies DOE's preferred alternative for the disposal of GTCC and GTCC-like waste at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) geologic repository in New Mexico and land disposal at generic commercial facilities.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 43 (Friday, March 4, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11550-11552]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-04731]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY


Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact 
Statement for the Disposal of Greater-Than-Class C (GTCC) Low-Level 
Radioactive Waste and GTCC-Like Waste

AGENCY: Department of Energy.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE or Department) announces 
the availability of its Final Environmental Impact Statement for the 
Disposal of Greater-Than-Class C (GTCC) Low-Level Radioactive Waste and 
GTCC-Like Waste (Final EIS) (DOE/EIS-0375), prepared pursuant to the 
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). This Final EIS considered 
public comments, including a Comment Response Document that addresses 
all comments received on the Draft EIS. The U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency (EPA) is a cooperating agency in the preparation of 
this EIS. The Final EIS evaluates the potential human health and 
environmental impacts of a range of reasonable alternatives for 
disposing of an estimated 12,000 cubic meters (m\3\) of waste, 
containing approximately 160 million curies of radioactivity. This 
includes GTCC low-level radioactive waste (LLRW) as defined by the 
Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in 10 CFR 72.3, i.e., ``low-level 
radioactive waste that exceeds the concentration limits of 
radionuclides established for Class C waste in 10 CFR 61.55,'' as well 
as GTCC-like waste which is DOE owned or generated LLRW and non-
defense-generated transuranic radioactive waste having characteristics 
similar to GTCC LLRW and for which there may be no path to disposal. 
This Final EIS also identifies DOE's preferred alternative for the 
disposal of GTCC and GTCC-like waste at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant 
(WIPP) geologic repository in New Mexico and land disposal at generic 
commercial facilities.

DATES: DOE will publish a Record of Decision no sooner than 30 days 
after publication of the U.S. EPA Notice of Availability in the Federal 
Register and not before Congressional Action as required by the Energy 
Policy Act of 2005 (Pub. L. 109-58).

ADDRESSES: This Final EIS is available on the DOE NEPA Web site at 
http://energy.gov/nepa and on the GTCC Web site at http://www.gtcceis.anl.gov. Copies of the Final EIS are also available in the 
public reading rooms and libraries listed in SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. 
A printed summary and compact disc (CD) of the complete Final EIS or a 
complete printed copy of the Final EIS (approximately 4,198 pages) may 
be requested by sending an email to: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information about this 
Final EIS, please contact Ms. Theresa J. Kliczewski, GTCC EIS Document 
Manager, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Disposition Planning & 
Policy (EM-32), 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585 or 
by email at [email protected]. For general information regarding the DOE 
NEPA process, please contact: Ms. Carol M. Borgstrom, Director, Office 
of NEPA Policy and Compliance (GC-54), U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585, Telephone: (202) 586-
4600, or leave a message at (800) 472-2756.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Section 3(b)(1)(D) of the Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy 
Amendments Act (LLRWPAA) of 1985 (Pub. L. 99-240) makes the U.S. 
Federal Government responsible for the disposal of GTCC LLRW that 
results from NRC and Agreement State licenses. The LLRWPAA also 
specified in Section 3(b)(2) that such waste be disposed of in a 
facility licensed by NRC. DOE is the Federal agency responsible for the 
disposal of GTCC LLRW. GTCC LLRW is LLRW that has radionuclide 
concentrations that exceed the limits for Class C LLRW provided in 10 
CFR 61.55.
    This Final EIS also addresses GTCC-like waste which is DOE owned or 
generated LLRW and non-defense-generated transuranic radioactive waste 
having characteristics similar to GTCC LLRW and for which there may be 
no path to disposal. The NRC LLRW waste classification system in 10 CFR 
61.55 does not apply to radioactive waste generated or owned by DOE and 
disposed of in DOE facilities. DOE evaluates GTCC-like waste in the 
Final EIS because similar approaches may be used to dispose of both 
GTCC LLRW and GTCC-like waste. DOE's proposed action is therefore to 
construct and operate a new facility or facilities, or use an existing 
facility or facilities, for the disposal of GTCC LLRW and GTCC-like 
waste. The Final EIS evaluates alternative methods for disposal of 
these wastes at various alternative locations, evaluates generic 
commercial disposal sites in four regions of the U.S., and a ``No 
Action Alternative'' as required under NEPA.

Types and Estimated Quantities of GTCC LLRW and GTCC-Like Wastes

    The total inventory volume of GTCC LLRW and GTCC-like waste 
evaluated in the Final EIS is about 12,000 m\3\, and is estimated to 
contain approximately 160 million curies of radioactivity. Of this 
total, approximately 3,000 m\3\ and less than one million curies are 
estimated to be GTCC-like waste. Approximately ten percent of the total 
estimated inventory volume of GTCC LLRW and GTCC-like waste is 
currently in storage, while approximately 90 percent is expected to be 
generated in the future.
    GTCC LLRW and GTCC-like waste, for purposes of the Final EIS, are 
categorized into three waste types: activated metals, sealed sources, 
and other waste. Activated metals are largely generated from the 
decommissioning of nuclear reactors. They include portions of the 
nuclear reactor vessel, such as the core shroud and core support plate. 
Activated metals wastes represent approximately 17 percent of the total 
inventory volume and approximately 98 percent of the radioactivity from 
GTCC LLRW and GTCC-like waste. Most of the activated metals will not be 
generated for several decades, when the majority of the currently 
operating reactors are scheduled to undergo decommissioning.
    Sealed sources are widely used for medical purposes, such as in 
equipment to diagnose and treat illnesses (particularly cancer), 
sterilize medical

[[Page 11551]]

devices, and irradiate blood for transplant patients; and for 
industrial purposes, such as nondestructive testing of structures and 
industrial equipment and exploration of geologic formations for oil and 
gas. They are located in hospitals, universities, and industries 
throughout the U.S. Sealed sources represent approximately 25 percent 
of the total inventory volume and approximately one percent of the 
total radioactivity from GTCC LLRW and GTCC-like waste.
    Other waste primarily includes contaminated equipment, debris, 
scrap metal, resins, and solidified sludges. These wastes are 
associated with the production of molybdenum-99, which is used in about 
16 million medical procedures (e.g., to detect cancer) each year; the 
production of radioisotope power systems in support of space 
exploration (e.g. from the plutonium-238 production project) and 
national security; and the environmental cleanup of the West Valley 
Demonstration Project site in New York. Other waste represents 
approximately 58 percent of the total inventory volume and 
approximately one percent of the radioactivity from GTCC and GTCC-like 
wastes.

Disposal Alternatives Evaluated

    The Final EIS evaluates a range of reasonable alternatives for the 
disposal of GTCC LLRW and GTCC-like waste including:
    1. No Action, as required by NEPA;
    2. Disposal in the WIPP geologic repository in New Mexico;
    3. Disposal in a new intermediate-depth borehole disposal facility 
at the Hanford Site in Washington, the Idaho National Laboratory in 
Idaho, the Los Alamos National Laboratory and WIPP Vicinity in New 
Mexico, the Nevada National Security Site (formerly known as the Nevada 
Test Site) in Nevada and generic commercial sites in four regions of 
the U.S.; and
    4. Disposal in a new enhanced near-surface trench disposal facility 
at the Hanford, the Idaho National Laboratory, the Los Alamos National 
Laboratory and the WIPP, the Nevada National Security Site, Savannah 
River Site in South Carolina, and generic commercial sites; and
    5. Disposal in a new above-grade vault disposal facility at the 
Hanford, the Idaho National Laboratory, the Los Alamos National 
Laboratory and the WIPP, the Nevada National Security Site, Savannah 
River Site in South Carolina, as well as at generic commercial 
facilities.

Responses to Public Comment

    The Final EIS includes a Comment Response Document that includes 
all comments received on the Draft EIS as well as DOE's detailed 
responses to the individual comments. DOE received a total of 1,196 
comment records, which accounted for 3,982 individual comments. Of the 
1,196 comment records received, 154 were from organizations or federal 
or state agencies; 495 were from private citizens; and 547 were 
campaign letters, emails, or web comments received from six 
organizations. All comments received on the Draft EIS were considered 
by DOE in the preparation of this Final GTCC EIS.

Preferred Alternative

    Given the diverse characteristics (e.g., different radionuclide 
inventories, range of physical conditions, and derived from both 
commercial and DOE sources) of GTCC and GTCC-like waste analyzed in 
this Final EIS, the preferred alternative selected is not limited to 
one disposal technology. The preferred alternative for the disposal of 
GTCC and GTCC-like waste is the WIPP geologic repository and/or land 
disposal at generic commercial facilities. These land disposal 
conceptual designs may be altered or enhanced, as necessary, to provide 
the optimal application at a given location. For generic commercial 
facilities, the preferred alternative does not include land disposal at 
DOE sites. In addition, there is presently no preference among the 
three land disposal technologies at the generic commercial sites. The 
factors considered during the development of the preferred alternative 
include public comment provided on the Draft EIS; disposal site impacts 
including potential human health impacts, cultural resources and tribal 
concerns; waste types impacts including radionuclide inventory and 
characteristics and availability for disposal; and disposal method 
impacts including inadvertent human intrusion, construction and 
operation and cost. The analysis in this Final GTCC EIS has provided 
the Department with the integrated insight needed to identify a 
preferred alternative with the potential to enable the disposal of the 
entire waste inventory analyzed in this EIS. The Department has 
determined that the preferred alternative would satisfy the needs of 
the Department for the disposal of GTCC and GTCC-like waste.

Next Steps

    Following the issuance of the Final GTCC EIS and in accordance with 
the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (Pub. L. 109-58), DOE will submit a 
Report to Congress on GTCC, and await Congressional Action. The Report 
to Congress must include all GTCC disposal alternatives under 
consideration. Once Congressional Action has occurred, DOE may then 
issue a Record of Decision in the Federal Register and implement the 
disposal alternative(s).

Public Reading Rooms and Libraries

    Copies of the Final EIS are available for public review at the 
locations listed below:

District of Columbia

U.S. Department of Energy, Freedom of Information Act Public Reading 
Room, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Room 1G-033, Washington, DC 20585, 
(202) 586-5955.

Idaho

U.S. Department of Energy, Public Reading Room, 1776 Science Center 
Drive, Idaho Falls, ID 83401, (208) 526-0833.

Nevada

Nevada Site Office, U.S. Department of Energy, Public Reading Room, 755 
East Flamingo Road, Room 103, Las Vegas, NV 89119, (702) 794-5106.
Amargosa Valley Library, 829 E. Farm Road, Amargosa, NV 89020, (775) 
372-5340.
Clark County Library, 1401 E. Flamingo Road, Las Vegas, NV 89119, (702) 
507-3400.
Indian Springs Library, 715 Gretta Lane, Indian Springs, NV 89018, 
(702) 879-3845.
Las Vegas Library, 833 N. Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV 89101, 
(702) 507-3500.
Pahrump Community Library, 701 S. East Street, Pahrump, NV 89048, (775) 
727-5930.
Tonopah Public Library, 167 S. Central Street, Tonopah, NV 89049, (775) 
482-3374.

New Mexico

DOE FOIA Reading Room, Government Information/Zimmerman Library, 
University of New Mexico, MSC05 3020, 1 University of New Mexico, 
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001, (505) 277-7180.
Carlsbad Field Office, U.S. Department of Energy, WIPP Information 
Center, 4021 National Parks Highway, Carlsbad, NM 88220, (575) 234-7348 
or (800) 336-9477.
Carlsbad Public Library, 101 South Halagueno Street, Carlsbad, NM 
88220, (575) 885-6776.

[[Page 11552]]

Eunice Public Library, 1039 10th Street, Eunice, NM 88231, (575) 394-
2336.
Espa[ntilde]ola Public Library, 313 N Paseo de O[ntilde]ate, 
Espa[ntilde]ola, NM 87532, (505) 747-6087.
Mesa Public Library, 2400 Central Avenue, Los Alamos, NM 87544, (505) 
662-8250.
Santa Fe Public Library, 145 Washington Street, Santa Fe, NM 87501, 
(505) 955-6780.
Santa Fe Public Library, Oliver La Farge Branch, 1730 Llano Street, 
Santa Fe, NM 87501, (505) 955-4860.
New Mexico State Library, 1209 Camino Carlos Rey, Santa Fe, NM 87507, 
(505) 476-9717.
Los Alamos National Laboratory, Public Reading Room, P.O. Box 1663, 
Mail Stop M9991, Los Alamos, NM 87545, Phone: (505) 667-0216.
J. Robert Oppenheimer Study Ctr & Res Library, Technical Area 3, 
Building 207, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545.

Oregon

Portland State University, Government Information, Branford Price 
Millar Library, 1875 SW Park Avenue, Portland, OR 97201, (503) 725-
5874.

South Carolina

University of South Carolina--Aiken, Gregg-Graniteville Library, 471 
University Parkway, Aiken, SC 29801, (803) 641-3320.
South Carolina State Library, 1500 Senate Street, Columbia, SC 29211, 
(803) 734-8026.

Washington

U.S. Department of Energy, Public Reading Room, Consolidated 
Information Center, 2770 University Drive, Room 101L, Richland, WA 
99352, (509) 372-7443.
University of Washington, Suzzallo-Allen Library, Government 
Publications Division, Seattle, WA 98195, (206) 543-1937.
Gonzaga University, Foley Center Library, 101-L 502 East Boone Avenue, 
Spokane, WA 99258, (509) 313-5931.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on February 19, 2016.
Mark Senderling,
Director, Office of Disposition Planning & Policy, Office of 
Environmental Management, U.S. Department of Energy.
[FR Doc. 2016-04731 Filed 3-3-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6450-01-P