For immediate release
April 30, 2019
Energy Communities Alliance contact:
ECA Publishes Paper: Making Informed Decisions on DOE’s Proposed High-Level Waste Interpretation
In October 2018, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) proposed a new interpretation of the statutory definition of high-level waste (HLW). This new interpretation could speed up cleanup at several sites (Idaho National Laboratory, Hanford, West Valley and the Savannah River Site); develop a path forward for waste stranded in interim storage and tanks; and potentially save tens of billions of dollars.
“ECA wants to see DOE move waste out of our communities and dispose of it in licensed facilities as safely, efficiently and cost-effectively as possible,” explains ECA Chairman and Roane Country Executive, Ron Woody. “After more than thirty years of operations, DOE is taking an important review of its waste management strategies, looking to apply lessons learned. ECA members believe DOE’s proposed HLW interpretation is
one such alternative that should be considered.”
In an effort to maintain momentum as DOE evaluates input received during its Public Comment period, ECA’s new paper outlines 12 key recommendations for DOE. These recommendations echo ECA’s earlier report released in September 2017, “Waste Disposition: A New Approach to DOE’s Waste Management Must Be Pursued,” also written to assist ECA members, their communities and other impacted stakeholders to better engage with DOE on
technical, alternative waste management strategies. In its latest paper, ECA highlights the need for a formal stakeholder engagement process, outlining “The Path to Progress,” as an example for consideration.
ECA recommendations to DOE:
- Provide a full evaluation of DOE’s proposed interpretation to define the specific waste that will be affected at each site.
- Clearly identify each disposal pathway and what needs to occur at potential disposal sites for shipments to begin.
- Identify the process and the timing of any new potential shipments.
- Pursue active and transparent engagement of all affected communities and stakeholders.
- Determine the realistic cost savings and revised timeline for cleanup.
- Provide the States and local governments with resources to analyze the change and educate the communities.
- Consider legislation to codify the proposed HLW definition to ensure consistency over time and maintain focus on cleanup versus litigation.
- Revise the DOE radioactive waste management policy and manual (DOE Order 435.1) to clarify that waste will be managed and dispositioned according to its characteristics, not its origin.
- Work directly with the State of New Mexico on a permit modification for the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) to remove the blanket prohibition on tank waste and wastes managed as HLW.
- Consider legislation to amend the Land Withdrawal Act, which governs WIPP, to expand the volume of TRU waste (in particular Remote Handled TRU) to accommodate projected inventory and capacity.
- Ensure communities can provide input into the Administration’s implementation of its “End States Contracting Strategy,” particularly in regard to DOE’s plans to implement any updated or revised approaches to waste management and disposal.
- Continue to identify well-scoped pilot projects and waste management policy evaluations.
Kara Colton, Director ECA Nuclear Energy Policies, stated “Local governments’ primary focus is on the outcome of cleanup decisions and the continued protection of human health and the environment is paramount. ECA is encouraged by the recent actions DOE has taken to optimize progress in waste disposition, especially in light of the $7 billion per year environmental cleanup
program at DOE sites where environmental liability projections are growing despite progress on the ground. The current solution is not working. Alternatives are needed. DOE should provide a full evaluation of its proposal. In addition, it should begin now to establish a formal process to educate and engage stakeholders and ensure meaningful collaboration on any new waste management and disposal proposals.”
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About ECA:
Energy Communities Alliance (ECA) is a non-profit membership organization of local governments adjacent to or affected by U.S. Department of Energy activities. The mission of ECA is to bring together local government officials to share information, establish policy positions, and promote community interests to address an increasingly complex set of constituent, environmental, regulatory, and economic development needs. Additional information is available at www.energyca.org.
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Learn more about cleanup sites with ECA's DOE Site Profiles
ECA's new site profiles detail DOE's 13 active Environmental Management cleanup sites and national laboratories, highlighting their history, missions, and priorities. The profiles are a key source for media, stakeholders, and the public to learn more about DOE site activities, contractors, advisory boards, and their surrounding local
governments.
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