[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 8 (Wednesday, January 13, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2201-2203]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-750]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Savannah River
Site (SRS) Spent Nuclear Fuel (SNF) Management, Savannah River Site,
South Carolina
AGENCY: Department of Energy.
ACTION: Notice of availability and public meetings.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Energy announces the availability of the
Savannah River Site Spent Nuclear Fuel Management Draft Environmental
Impact Statement (DOE/EIS-0279D). This draft EIS evaluates the
potential impacts of reasonable alternatives for the safe and efficient
management of spent nuclear fuel and targets stored and scheduled to be
received at the Savannah River Site (SRS), including placing these
materials in a form suitable for disposition.
DATES: The public comment period began on December 24, 1998 and extends
through February 8, 1999. DOE will consider comments postmarked or
submitted after February 8, 1999 to the extent practicable. Oral and
written comments will be accepted at public meetings on the dates and
at the locations given below. The Department will hold two public
meetings, with two sessions each, to discuss the Draft EIS and receive
comments:
1. Thursday, January 28, 1999, at the Holiday Inn Coliseum, 630
Assembly Street, Columbia, SC, (803) 799-7800. The first session begins
at 1:00 p.m. and the second begins at 6:00 p.m.
2. Tuesday, February 2 at the North Augusta Community Center, 495
Brookside Drive, North Augusta, SC, (803) 441-4290. The first session
begins at 1:00 p.m. and the second begins at 6:00 p.m.
ADDRESSES: Written comments, requests for further information on the
draft EIS or public meetings, and requests for copies of the document
should be directed to Andrew R. Grainger, NEPA Compliance Officer,
Savannah River Site, Building 742-A, Room 185, Aiken, South Carolina
29802; orally by calling (800) 881-7292; or electronically to
nepa@srs.gov. Addresses of locations where the Draft EIS is available
for public review are listed in this notice under ``Availability of
Copies of the Draft EIS.''
General information on the DOE National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA) process may be requested from Ms. Carol Borgstrom, Director,
Office of NEPA Policy and Assistance (EH-42), U.S. Department of
Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20585. Ms.
Borgstrom may be contacted by telephone at (202) 586-4600 or by leaving
a message at 1-800-472-2756.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, a DOE predecessor agency,
established the SRS in the early 1950s for the production of special
radioactive isotopes to support national programs. Historically, the
primary Site mission was the production of strategic isotopes
(plutonium-239 and tritium) for use in the development and production
of nuclear weapons. The SRS produced other isotopes (e.g., californium-
252, plutonium-238, and americium-241) to support research in nuclear
medicine, space exploration, and commercial applications. DOE produced
these isotopes in the five SRS production reactors.
The material used to produce isotopes consisted of nuclear fuel and
targets. The nuclear fuel was enriched uranium that was alloyed with
aluminum and then clad in aluminum. The targets were either oxides or
metallic forms of various isotopes such as neptunium-237 or uranium-238
that were clad with aluminum. Fuel and targets were fabricated at the
SRS and placed in the reactors and then the reactors operated to create
the neutrons necessary to transmute the target material. After
irradiation, the fuel and targets (collectively referred to as spent
nuclear fuel) were removed from the reactors and placed in water-filled
basins for short-term storage, about 12 to 18 months, before they were
chemically processed in the SRS separations facilities.
SNF was chemically dissolved in F or H Canyon to recover the
uranium or transuranic isotopes for future use (``reprocessing''). The
remaining residue from the fuel, high-level radioactive waste
consisting primarily of fission products and cladding in liquid form,
was transferred to large steel tanks for storage. The high-level waste
is being vitrified in the Defense Waste Processing Facility at the SRS
to prepare it for placement in a geologic repository.
In 1992, the Secretary of Energy directed that reprocessing
operations to produce strategic nuclear materials be phased out
throughout the DOE complex. However, unprocessed SNF and targets
remained in storage. SRS also has accepted SNF from foreign and
domestic research reactors. In the past, most of this material was
reprocessed. With the end of the Site's strategic nuclear materials
production mission, SNF from research reactors has been accumulating in
the Receiving Basin for Offsite Fuels and the L-Reactor Disassembly
Basin.
Stabilization
DOE has taken action to stabilize about 175 MTHM of the 195 MTHM of
aluminum-based SNF that was in storage at SRS in 1995. DOE decided to
stabilize this material following completion of the Interim Management
of Nuclear Materials Environmental Impact Statement (DOE/EIS-0220). The
primary purpose of the actions described in that environmental impact
statement (EIS) was to correct or eliminate potential health and safety
vulnerabilities related to some of the methods used to store nuclear
materials (including SNF) at SRS. In that EIS, DOE identified the
remaining 20 MTHM (out of 195 MTHM) of aluminum-based SNF at SRS as
``stable'' (i.e., the SNF likely could be safely stored for about 10
more years, pending decisions on final disposition). Thus, that 20 MTHM
of aluminum-based SNF is included in this EIS.
On June 1, 1995, DOE decided (60 FR 28680) under the Department of
Energy Programmatic Spent Nuclear Fuel Management and Idaho National
Engineering Laboratory Environmental Restoration and Waste Management
Programs Final Environmental Impact Statement to consolidate existing
and
[[Page 2202]]
newly generated SNF at three existing Departmental sites (including
SRS) based on the fuel type, pending future decisions on ultimate
disposition. DOE designated the SRS as the site that would manage
aluminum-based SNF. As a result, DOE will transfer 20 MTHM of non-
aluminum-based SNF from SRS to Idaho National Engineering and
Environmental Laboratory (INEEL) and will transfer about 5 MTHM of
aluminum-based SNF at INEEL to SRS. Additionally, SRS could receive
about 5 MTHM of aluminum-based SNF from domestic research reactors.
In May 1996, DOE announced a decision (61 FR 25092) under the Final
Environmental Impact Statement on a Proposed Nuclear Weapons
Nonproliferation Policy Concerning Foreign Research Reactor Spent
Nuclear Fuel to accept about 18 MTHM of aluminum-based SNF containing
uranium of U.S. origin from foreign research reactors for management in
the United States at the SRS. The receipt of foreign research reactor
SNF at SRS is now underway and receipts are scheduled to be completed
by 2009. The 18 MTHM of foreign research reactor SNF that could be
received at SRS is included in the scope of this EIS. (Recent decisions
by some foreign research reactor operators have reduced the quantity of
SNF expected to be shipped to SRS from about 18 MTHM to about 14 MTHM;
however, for this EIS the 18 MTHM projection is used because foreign
research reactor operators still have the option to ship to the United
States.) Table S-1 summarizes the amount of SNF to be managed at SRS
that is considered in this EIS.
Table 1.--Quantity of SNF Discussed in This EIS
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Aluminum-based SNF stored at SRS............................. 20 MTHM
Domestic and DOE aluminum-based research reactor SNF to be
received at SRS............................................. 10 MTHM
Foreign Research Reactor aluminum-based SNF to be received at
SRS......................................................... 18 MTHM
Non-aluminum-based SNF at SRS (to be shipped to INEEL)....... 20 MTHM
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Purpose and Need for Action
DOE anticipates that it eventually will place most of its aluminum-
based SNF inventory in a geologic repository after treatment or
repackaging. DOE currently is conducting analysis leading to a decision
whether to recommend the Yucca Mountain site in Nevada as the site of
this nation's first geologic repository. Even if the Nuclear Regulatory
Commission eventually were to license such a site, DOE does not expect
a geologic repository to be available until at least 2010 and it is
unclear when shipments from DOE sites could begin. Regardless of when a
repository is available, the Department intends to develop and
implement a safe and efficient SNF management strategy that includes
preparing for ultimate disposition the aluminum-based SNF stored at SRS
or expected to be shipped to SRS. DOE is committed to avoiding
indefinite storage at the SRS of this nuclear fuel in a form that is
unsuitable for final disposition. Therefore, DOE needs to identify
management technologies and facilities for storing and treating this
SNF in preparation for final disposition.
Scope
In this EIS, DOE is evaluating the treatment and storage of about
48 MTHM of aluminum-based SNF pending shipment to a geologic
repository, including impacts from the construction and operation of
facilities (either new or modified existing facilities) that would be
used to receive, store, treat, and package SNF in preparation for
ultimate disposition.
Onsite transportation impacts are considered; however, no impacts
associated with transporting SNF to SRS are included, because these
impacts have been assessed in other EISs.
The potential impacts of transporting SNF to a geologic repository
are discussed for completeness but no decisions related to transporting
SNF offsite will be made under this EIS. Transportation of SNF to a
federal repository will be addressed in the EIS for a Geologic
Repository for the Disposal of Spent Nuclear Fuel and High-Level
Radioactive Waste at Yucca Mountain, Nye County, Nevada (Notice of
Intent published in 60 FR 40164 on August 7, 1995). The Yucca Mountain
EIS is being prepared in the event DOE decides to recommend Yucca
Mountain as the site of the Nation's first geologic repository for SNF
and high-level radioactive waste.
DOE also evaluates transferring 20 MTHM of non-aluminum-clad spent
nuclear fuel currently stored in the Receiving Basin for Offsite Fuel
at SRS to a new dry storage facility at SRS. This transfer would occur
only if a dry storage facility were built as part of the implementation
of a treatment technology to prepare aluminum-based spent nuclear fuel
for disposition and if the dry storage facility became operational
before the non-aluminum-clad fuel was transferred to the INEEL. The
transfer to dry storage would occur after the fuel had been relocated
from the Receiving Basin for Offsite Fuel to the L-Reactor Disassembly
Basin in support of activities necessary to phase out the use of the
Receiving Basin for Offsite Fuel by 2006.
This EIS does not evaluate the impacts of managing the non-
aluminum-clad fuel at INEEL or of transporting the fuel to INEEL. These
impacts were considered in the SNF programmatic EIS which served as the
basis for DOE's decision to consolidate the storage of non-aluminum-
clad spent nuclear fuel at the INEEL.
Additionally, in this EIS DOE evaluates alternative storage
arrangements for Mark-51 and ``other'' targets currently located in the
Receiving Basin for Offsite Fuel at the SRS. In addition to evaluating
the continued use of wet storage, DOE considers transferring the
targets to dry storage to provide flexibility in material management
operations. The targets contain americium and curium isotopes that have
potential programmatic use.
Decisions To Be Based on This EIS
DOE expects to make the following decisions on the management of
SNF and preparation of SNF for ultimate disposition.
Select the appropriate treatment or packaging technology
to prepare for ultimate disposal of the aluminum-based SNF that is to
be managed at SRS.
Determine whether DOE should construct new facilities or
use existing facilities to store and treat or package aluminum-based
SNF that is expected to be managed at SRS in preparation for its
ultimate disposition.
Determine whether DOE should repackage and dry-store
stainless-steel and zirconium-clad SNF pending shipment to INEEL, and
whether DOE should repackage and dry-store americium/curium targets
pending decisions on programmatic use. Repackaging and dry-storing
these fuels would further DOE's plan to phase out the use of the
Receiving Basin for Offsite Fuel at the SRS.
Proposed Action
DOE's proposed action is to safely manage SNF that is currently
located or expected to be received at SRS, including treating or
packaging aluminum-based fuel for offsite shipment and placement in a
monitored geologic repository, and packaging non-aluminum-clad fuel and
programmatic material for dry storage.
In the Record of Decision for the Foreign Research Reactor EIS (61
FR 25092--May 17, 1996), DOE stated that it would embark on an
accelerated
[[Page 2203]]
program at SRS to identify, develop, and demonstrate one or more non-
reprocessing, cost effective treatment or packaging technologies to
prepare aluminum-based foreign research reactor spent nuclear fuel for
ultimate disposition.
Based on that decision, DOE's strategy is to select a new non-
chemical processing technology or a new packaging technology that would
put aluminum-based foreign research reactor SNF into a form or
container suitable for direct placement in a monitored geologic
repository. The SNF would be treated or conditioned to address
potential repository acceptance criteria or safety concerns. After
implementing the new non-chemical processing treatment or packaging
technology, DOE would manage the SNF in a road-ready condition at SRS
in dry storage pending shipment to a geologic repository.
Because of the similarity of the materials, DOE proposes to manage
the other aluminum-alloy SNF that is the subject of this EIS (domestic
research reactor and DOE reactor fuels) in the same manner as the
foreign research reactor fuels.
DOE has included chemical processing as a management alternative in
this EIS. However, DOE's strategy and preference is to use non-chemical
separations processes when practical. DOE proposes to use chemical
separation processes when a potential health or safety vulnerability
exists for aluminum-based SNF that DOE considers should be alleviated
before a non-chemical separations process is in operation in about
2005. Additionally, such SNF in its current form would likely not be
acceptable in a geologic repository.
Alternatives Considered
For analysis in this EIS, DOE has categorized the SNF at SRS into
six groups based on characteristics such as fuel size, physical or
chemical properties, and radionuclide inventories. To manage this SNF
and prepare it for disposition, DOE identified six reasonable new
technologies and one existing technology (conventional chemical
processing) for analysis. Because of the differences in the
characteristics of the SNF and the capabilities of the technologies, no
single technology could be applied to all the SNF. Although there are
many possible combinations of technologies and fuel groups, DOE
evaluated a limited number of configurations as alternatives. The
alternatives were chosen to illustrate the range of impacts that could
occur and consist of: Preferred Alternative, Minimum Impact
Alternative, Direct Disposal Alternative, Maximum Impact Alternative,
and the No Action Alternative.
In the Preferred Alternative, DOE proposes to implement several
technologies to manage the SNF at SRS. These include Melt and Dilute,
Conventional Processing, and Repackage and Prepare to Ship. The Melt
and Dilute option is the preferred method for treating most (about 97
percent by volume and 60 percent by mass) of the spent nuclear fuel.
Conventional processing would be used for the remaining 3 percent by
volume (40 percent by mass) because of the potential health and safety
vulnerability of continuing wet storage of those fuels while awaiting
the availability of Melt and Dilute technology and uncertainties
associated with repository acceptance. DOE would continue to wet store
the Higher Actinide Targets and the non-aluminum clad SNF. If this
material has not been transferred offsite by the time a dry storage
facility is in operation at the SRS, DOE could repackage this material
and transfer it to dry storage.
Availability of Copies of the Draft EIS
Copies of the Draft EIS are being distributed to Federal, State and
local officials and agencies; Tribes; and organizations and individuals
that have indicated an interest in SRS or the Draft EIS. In addition,
the Draft EIS is available on the Internet at the following address:
http://www.eh.doe.gov/nepa/docs/docs.htm. Addresses of DOE Public
Reading Rooms and libraries where the Draft EIS will be available for
public review are listed below:
Freedom of Information Public Document Room, University of South
Carolina at Aiken, SC, Gregg-Graniteville Library, 471 University
Parkway, Aiken, SC 29801
Freedom of Information Reading Room, U.S. Department of Energy, Room
1E-190, Forrestal Building, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington,
DC 20585
Battelle-Pacific Northwest Laboratories, Technical Library, P.O. Box
999, Richland, WA 99352
Pullen Public Library, 100 Decatur Street, SE, Atlanta, GA 30303
Reese Library, Augusta College, 2500 Walton Way, Augusta, GA 30904
Georgia Institute of Technology, Bobby Dodd Way, Atlanta, GA 30332
Chatham-Effingham-Liberty Regional Library, 2002 Bull Street, Savannah,
GA 31499-4301
Los Alamos Technical Association, 1200 Trinity Drive, Los Alamos, NM
87544
U.S. Department of Energy, FOIA Reading Room, 4700 Morris NE,
Albuquerque, NM 87111
U.S. Department of Energy, Albuquerque Operations Office, National
Atomic Museum, 20358 Wyoming Boulevard SE, Kirtland Air Force Base,
P.O. Box 5400, Albuquerque, NM 87185
The Libraries, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523
Erskine College, McCain Library, One Depot Street, Due West, SC 29639
Parsons Brinckeroff Library, 1660 Lincoln Street, Suite 2000, Denver,
CO 80264
Public Reading Room, Chicago Operations Office, 9800 South Cass Avenue,
Argonne, IL 60439
Argonne National Laboratory, Technical Library, P.O. Box 2528, Idaho
Falls, ID 83403
Library of Congress, CRS-STR-LM413, Washington, DC 20540-7490
South Carolina State Library, 1500 Senate Street, Columbia, SC 29211
County Library, 404 King Street, Charleston, SC 29403
Savannah River Site Library, Savannah River Technology Center, 773-A,
Savannah River Site, Aiken, SC 29808
Westinghouse Savannah River Site Company Library, 766-H, Savannah River
Site, Aiken, SC 29808
U.S. Department of Energy, Public Reading Room, Oak Ridge Operations
Office, 55 Jefferson Circle, Room 1123, Oak Ridge, TN 37831
Issued in Washington, DC on January 7, 1999.
David G. Huizenga,
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Material and Facility
Stabilization, Office of Environmental Management.
[FR Doc. 99-750 Filed 1-12-99; 8:45 am]
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