Posted: November 12, 2009
The Radiation Control Board at its November 10th meeting decided to seek rulemaking that would require EnergySolutions' to conduct a performance assessment (safety analysis) before disposing of significant amounts of depleted uranium. Considering the regulation wouldn't go into effect for 90 to 120 days, EnergySolutions could still take depleted uranium under an amended license.
Posted: October 13, 2009
In its meeting, the Radiation Control Board decided to require that a performance assessment (safety analysis) be provided to the Division of Radiation Control prior to receiving depleted uranium for disposal. The decision reverses the Board position taken at the September meeting.
Posted: September 24, 2009
On September 22, the Radiation Control Board voted against pursing rulemaking that may have resulted in a temporary moratorium on depleted uranium (DU) disposal at EnergySolutions. The Board directed that the Utah Division of Radiation Control amend EnergySolutions' license to include a performance assessment on the suitability of DU disposal. This would require Energy Solutions to assure that any DU taken prior to final NRC rulemaking is ultimately disposed of in compliance with future performance standards.
No. This issue deals with depleted uranium.
Uranium's physical and chemical properties make it ideal for use in nuclear reactors and for military uses. To be used, uranium has to be "enriched." During this process, the fraction of U-235 is increased from its natural level (0.72% by mass) to between 2% and 94% by mass. The by-product-after the enriched uranium is removed-has reduced concentrations of U-235 and U-234 and is known as depleted uranium.
DU is classified as a low-level (or Class A) radioactive waste, yet it does have some commercial use. However, demand is currently much less than the amounts generated. Disposal is the only option for the rest. Under federal law, the Department of Energy is required to accept DU from an NRC licensed uranium enrichment facility. DU can also be accepted by a licensed commercial disposal site. EnergySolutions' Clive facility holds a Class A radioactive waste license and currently has DU stored at this facility.
Any radioactive material presents some risk of developing cancer from exposure. The risk from DU comes from the fact that it slowly creates radon gas. This process is extremely slow; estimated by scientists to take between 1,000 and one million years. Once the risk level is reached, people and/or the environment would also need to come into direct contact with it for there to be a risk.
DU is currently buried at the Clive location. There, given an arid climate and low precipitation, the potential for soil erosion is extremely low. Below the site, the aquifer is naturally poor so the water is not used as a drinking water source.
Changes required by the Radiation Control Board to the Energy Solutions license will require that DU at Clive be buried under at least 10 feet of soil. Once buried, it is felt that the likelihood of intrusion by natural elements or by humans is extremely low.
The NRC (Nuclear Regulatory Commission) regulates commercial nuclear power plants and other uses of nuclear materials. Utah is an "Agreement State" under the NRC. This arrangement requires that Utah's regulations are consistent with those of the NRC. In order to enact a more strict rule, Utah must show that it is addressing an imminent threat to health and/or the environment.
A moratorium would require rulemaking-something that would have taken time and would not have prevented the company from accepting DU in the short term without a court action.
Despite pressure from some environmental groups, NRC recently decided against reclassifying DU as a "hotter" waste-a move which would have changed disposal requirements.
Revised: November 16, 2009