Low-level radioactive waste : status of disposal availability in the United States and other countries : testimony before the Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality, Committee on Energy and Commerce, House of Representatives /
Disposal of radioactive material continues to be highly controversial. To address part of the disposal problem, in 1980, Congress made the states responsible for disposing of most low-level radioactive waste (LLRW), and allowed them to form regional compacts and to restrict access to disposal facili...
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Corporate Authors: | , |
| Format: | Government Document eBook |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
[Washington, D.C.] :
U.S. Govt. Accountability Office,
[2008]
|
| Series: | Testimony ;
GAO-08-813 T. |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | Abstract: https://purl.fdlp.gov/GPO/LPS95086 |
| Summary: | Disposal of radioactive material continues to be highly controversial. To address part of the disposal problem, in 1980, Congress made the states responsible for disposing of most low-level radioactive waste (LLRW), and allowed them to form regional compacts and to restrict access to disposal facilities from noncompact states. LLRW is an inevitable by-product of nuclear power generation and includes debris and contaminated soils from the decommissioning and cleanup of nuclear facilities, as well as metal and other material exposed to radioactivity. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) ranks LLRW according to hazard exposure--classes A, B, C, and greater-than-class C (GTCC). The states are responsible for the first three classes, and the Department of Energy (DOE) is responsible for GTCC. Three facilities dispose of the nation's LLRW--in Utah, South Carolina, and Washington State. The testimony addresses (1) LLRW management in the United States and (2) LLRW management in other countries. It is substantially based on two GAO reports: a June 2004 report (GAO-04-604) and a March 2007, report (GAO-07-221) that examined these issues. To prepare this testimony, GAO relied on data from the two reports and updated information on current capacity for LLRW and access to disposal facilities...... |
|---|---|
| Item Description: | Title from title screen (viewed on May 20, 2008). "For release on delivery ... May 20, 2008." Paper version available from: U.S. Govt. Accountability Office, 441 G St., NW, Rm. LM, Washington, D.C. 20548. Electronic resource. |
| Physical Description: | 9 pages : digital, PDF file. |
| Format: | Mode of access: Internet from GAO web site. Address as of 5/20/08: http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d08813t.pdf ; current access available via PURL. |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references. |