Like ECA, GAO sees potential to reduce risks, expedite cleanup and save taxpayers billions by clarifying HLW definition, grouting at Hanford
ECA staff | 12/14/2021
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Based on its work, GAO finds that disposing of supplemental LAW as grouted waste rather than vitrified waste and transporting it outside of Washington State could bring the total cost for treatment and disposal down from between $21 billion and $37 billion, to between $11 billion and $13 billion. GAO also noted this alternative treatment plan could expedite cleanup.
- Congress should consider clarifying DOE’s authority to manage and dispose of tank waste as other than high-level waste (HLW), consistent with existing authorities; and
- DOE should expand the potential disposal options it assesses to include all facilities that receive grouted supplemental LAW.
Potential disposal facilities included those previously identified in reports by DOE or the National Academies.
While cost and schedule savings information is available for treating supplemental LAW using grout, less is known about disposal options for grouted supplemental LAW. GAO’s report provides additional information, examining (1) potential facilities for the disposal of grouted supplemental LAW from the Hanford Site and the regulatory and technical challenges DOE faces at each facility; (2) the costs and environmental risks associated with disposal of grouted
supplemental LAW at selected facilities; and (3) the challenges DOE faces in selecting a disposal option for Hanford’s supplemental LAW.
DOE concurred with GAO’s recommendations.
See the full report here.
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OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENGAGEMENT
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JANUARY 13, 2022
The U.S. Department of Energy Office of Nuclear Energy (DOE-NE) published a Request for Information (RFI) Regarding Planning for Establishment of a Program to Support the Availability of High-Assay Low-Enriched
Uranium (HALEU) for Civilian Domestic Research, Development, Demonstration, and Commercial Use in the Federal Register.
DOE is working to enable the development and deployment of advanced nuclear reactors as part of meeting the Administration’s job creation, energy security, and climate goals. Most advanced reactors, including several designs selected for the Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program, are designed to be fueled by HALEU. The RFI aims to gather information to consider in preparing a required report to Congress describing actions proposed to be carried out by DOE under
the HALEU program.
Responses must be received by January 13, 2022 and may be submitted online or via email.
JANUARY 15, 2022
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Undersecretary for Science and Energy and Office of Policy (OP) request information on energy sector supply chains. This request for information (RFI) seeks input from all stakeholders involved directly and indirectly in the supply chains of energy, energy systems and technologies, and energy efficiency technologies from raw materials, processed materials, subcomponents, final products, to end-of-life material recovery and
recycling—including but not limited to U.S. industry, researchers, academia, local governments, and civil society. This stakeholder input will inform the Department's efforts in building an energy sector industrial base that is diverse, resilient, and competitive while meeting economic, national security, and climate objectives.
MARCH 4, 2022
The Department of Energy (DOE) has released a Request for Information (RFI) on how to site Federal facilities for the temporary, consolidated storage of spent nuclear fuel using a consent-based approach.
Responses to the RFI will inform development of a consent-based siting process, overall strategy for an integrated waste management system, and possibly a funding opportunity. DOE especially welcomes insight from people, communities, and groups that have historically not been well-represented in these discussions.
Responses must be received by March 4, 2022 by 5:00pm ET and may be submitted electronically to consentbasedsiting@hq.doe.gov, including “RFI: Consent-Based Siting and Federal Interim Storage” in the subject line of the email
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WIPP FY21 project update details successes, shipments, and priorities
WIPP Project Update | 12/15/2021
The recently-released Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) FY21 project update shares details on the accomplishments, shipments, priorities, and projects of the nation's designated disposal facility for defense-related transuranic (TRU) waste.
The future looks bright at WIPP as infrastructure improvements continue, waste shipments and emplacements are safely ramping up, and mining and ground control continue.
Accomplishments at the site include:
- Achieved Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) status, highlighting the strong safety culture at the site
- Received shipments from Sandia National Laboratory and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
- Completed upgrades to the Central Monitoring Room
- Received shipments from 4 sites for the first time since 2013
- Celebrated its 13,000th shipment.
WIPP plays a vital role in the cleanup of Department of Energy (DOE) sites and DOE national security missions. The site averages 10 shipments per week, which will gradually increase over the next few years, reaching 17 shipments per week. Los Alamos National Laboratory and Idaho National Laboratory are expected to continue as the primary TRU waste generator sites for WIPP.
Priorities for WIPP laid out in the project update include:
- Completion of Salt Reduction Building exterior
- Completion of Panel 8
- Begin mining to the west of the current mine
- Los Alamos National Laboratory Shipments
- Waste Control Specialists waste
- Begin restoring traditional remote-handled waste capabilities.
Various other projects continue at WIPP, including the Safety Significant Confinement Ventilation System, work on a new utility shaft, consideration of a supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for replacement of current panels and construction of additional panels, testing the 700-C ventilation fan, and general modernization efforts.
To view the full project update, please click here.
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DECONTAMINATION & DECOMMISSIONING
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Read about DOE's High Level Waste Interpretation
Have questions about DOE’s recent high-level waste (HLW) interpretation? Download ECA’s Key Points and FAQs on the issue to better understand what ECA believes are the potential benefits of implementation.
Interested in learning more? Read the ECA report “Making Informed Decisions on DOE's Proposed High Level Waste Definition” at www.energyca.org/publications
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Stay Current on Activities in the DOE World
Read the latest edition of the ECA Bulletin, a regular newsletter providing a detailed brief of ECA activities, legislative news, and major events from across the DOE complex. Have suggestions for future editions? Email bulletin@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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