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There are, in fact, perfectly good methods for permanently disposing of nuclear waste, but the Nuclear Regulatory Commission requires that the waste material be
by jpk 15y ago
There are, in fact, perfectly good methods for permanently disposing of nuclear waste, but the Nuclear Regulatory Commission requires that the waste material be retrievable for a certain period after emplacement. So we have to get rid of it... but keep it close. Therein lies most of the long-term safety issues with storing/disposing of it.
- glhaynes 15y agoWhy do they have that requirement?
- bdunbar 15y agoFrom 'Retrievability of high-level nuclear waste from geologic repositories - Regulatory and rock mechanics/design considerations' by Naiem S.Tanious, Mysore S.Nataraja, US Nuclear Regulatory Commission; Jaak J.K.Daemen, University of Arizona "The NRC will require retrieval to protect public health and safety in the event the site, design, or operations proves to be unsuitable. Based on performance confirmation data, the NRC will determine whether the repository system or subsystem (natural or engineered) has failed or is expected to fail to meet the performance criteria. If such failure is determined at any time during the preclosure period, the NRC may direct the DOE to retrieve the waste. The DOE could retrieve waste for its own reasons without being directed by the NRC. Such activity, however, must be carried out under applicable NRC regulations governing movement of waste. It should be noted that the NRC retrievability provision in Part 60 is only intended to protect the public radiological health and safety." Summary: in case the repository method is all screwed up and we gotta put it somewhere else.