FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 24, 2000
Contacts:
Bill Sinclair, Division of Radiation Control Director, (801) 536-4255
Laura Vernon, DEQ Public Information Officer, (801) 536-4484
Envirocare of Utah's license application to accept Class B and C low-level radioactive waste has been declared complete by the Department of Environmental Quality's Division of Radiation Control. While it is not the final step in obtaining a license, it does mean Envirocare has provided the Division of Radiation Control with all the technical information necessary to continue the process.
"This is a significant step," said Bill Sinclair, director of the Division of Radiation Control. "We can now complete the work necessary to move into the public participation portion of the licensing process."
The Division of Radiation Control will provide the public with documents that explain how Envirocare has satisfied a myriad of regulatory and technical requirements, and a list of conditions within a license under which the facility must operate.
A 60-day public comment period will begin after the draft documents, which include a Safety Evaluation Report and Radioactive Materials License, are completed by the Division of Radiation Control. A revised copy of Envirocare's application to accept containerized Class A, B and C low-level radioactive waste will also be available. Public hearings will be held in Salt Lake City and Tooele to receive comment. Public information meetings will precede each hearing. Dates, times and locations will be announced.
The Division of Radiation Control must assess all oral and written comments before making a final licensing decision. Following any final agency action, the Legislature and the Governor must also approve the facility.