BOREHOLE DISPOSAL FOR A DSRS INVENTORY - OUTCOMES OF AN IAEA COORDINATED RESEARCH PROJECT
IAEA | 06/12/2024 Many IAEA Member States need to provide for the disposal of the national inventory of disused sealed radioactive sources (DSRS). The IAEA therefore launched a Coordinated Research Project (CRP) in 2020 to develop a framework for DSRS borehole disposal consisting of a comprehensive and consistent set of specifications, procedures, guidance, and training material addressing all stages of the disposal programme. This
CRP could build on several decades of prior studies as well as on ongoing projects seeking to implement such borehole disposal in a few Member States. The CRP was concluded in 2024 and provides Member States with a package of essential materials for the development of a borehole disposal project and make this disposal solution more readily implementable. This IAEA Webinar will present the outcomes of the CRP and illustrate experiences and key considerations when implementing a DSRS borehole disposal programme.
Opening Speech:
- Stefan Joerg Mayer – Team Leader, Division of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology (NEFW), IAEA
Speakers: - Philippe van Marcke – Radioactive Waste Disposal Consultant (previously CRP project lead), Belgium
- Amy Hodson – Ray of Sunshine Energy, Australia
- Kang Wee Siang – Malaysian Nuclear Agency, Malaysia
- Jennifer Leute – Sandia National Laboratories, USA
Moderator: - Stefan Joerg Mayer – Team Leader, Division of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology (NEFW),
IAEA
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HOLTEC INTERNATIONAL ENGAGES COMMUNITY IN PLANS TO RESTART NUCLEAR POWER PLANT
News Channel 3 | 06/05/2024 COVERT, Mich. — Holtec International is including the community as they power forward with plans to reopen the shuttered Nuclear Power Plant in Covert. The company hosted an open house Tuesday, promising community members full transparency.
The plant was running for half a century before shutting down in May, 2022. Ever since the shutdown, Holtec has been working to get the plant fired back up. The restart lies in the hands of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission who has to deem it safe before a restart. Dozens of community members attended Tuesday's open house. “This is reliable carbon free energy that we will need moving forward," Nick Culp, Senior Manager of Government Affairs said. Holtec International purchased the 432 acre plant in 2022 when it decommissioned, Culp said it was too valuable to go to waste. “This has been a gem of Southwest Michigan for a long time,” Culp said. A blend of residents in support and those with reservations voiced their opinions Tuesday. “We are concerned about the waste product that is sitting
on the dune right next to Lake Michigan," Covert resident Jim Scott said. "I think it is dangerous , I think it is a plant that has had a history of problems.” Culp said Holtec hosted the open house with the hopes of clearing up concerns. “It’s got a tremendous track record of safety and reliability," Culp said. The plant is required to pass safety guidelines put in place by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The NRC is assessing equipment on a weekly basis, with no set timeline for completion.
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ASHFORD BOARD HEARS ECA GRANT PUBLIC OUTREACH PRESENTATION
Springville Journal | 06/06/2024 WEST VALLEY – The Ashford Town Board, at its May 8 meeting, heard an outreach presentation from Ray Vaughn of the West Valley Citizen Task Force outlining progress and information on the nuclear waste cleanup at the Western New York Nuclear Service Center. In 2023, the town of Ashford was awarded $50,000 through the Energy Communities Alliance Local Government Education and Outreach Funding grant. The funding would retain qualified experts who can analyze and explain the plans, proposals, models, assumptions, data and alternatives involved in the Probabilistic Performance Assessment that is being developed by the DOE as part of the Supplemental EIS for the West Valley Demonstration Project. This
effort will be led by the West Valley Citizens Task Force with frequent reporting to the ECA and Town of Ashford. Vaughn
presented the draft of the outreach portion of the grant to the board. Looking at the history and progress of the decommissioning, Vaughn said they are currently at the end of phase one, where some buildings will remain, along with disposal areas and the vault drying system. In phase two, the permanent disposal site for transuranic waste will be determined, along with high level waste canister shipment. Decisions in phase two will also determine closure decisions for the waste tank farm, NRC-licensed disposal area and state licensed disposal area, construction and demolition debris landfill, non-source area of
groundwater plume and contaminated soil and sediment. Agencies will issue a Draft Supplemental EIS for phase two, which
will most likely be in late 2025 with a six-month comment period. Vaughn also said phase two could cost another $1-10 billion and take 20-100 years.
NEW MEDIA: Gone Fission Nuclear Report: EM Consolidated Business Center Celebrates 20 Years June 3, 2024 | S4 E11 DOE’s Environmental Management Consolidated Business Center (EMCBC) is celebrating its 20th anniversary this month. Called the “Swiss army knife of Environmental Management”, the
EMCBC serves as the centralized hub for procurement, financial management, and technical support for DOE’s environmental management program. The EMCBC oversees the cleanup of contaminated sites, including former nuclear production facilities, research laboratories, and uranium mining sites. Host Michael Butler interviews EMCBC Deputy Director Melody Bell and Procurement Director Aaron Deckard.
UPCOMING EVENTS: Webinar for Interested Applicants for the DOE RAMP FellowshipJune 10, 2024 | Virtual Register Here Borehole Disposal for a DSRS inventory - Outcomes of an IAEA coordinated research projectJune 12,
2024 | Virtual Register Here DNN Civil Society Engagement (CSE) Workshop June 12, 2024 | Forrestal (Washington, D.C.)/Virtual Register Here 2024 National Cleanup Workshop September 16-18, 2024 | Crystal Gateway Marriott (Arlington, VA) More Information Here
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Check out ECA's latest
report! DISPOSAL DRIVES CLEANUP: RE-ENERGIZING MOMENTUM FOR DISPOSAL SOLUTIONS FOR RADIOACTIVE WASTE
This report calls on the Department of Energy to launch the initiative to develop the actual waste disposition approaches. The Department could potentially save hundreds of billions of dollars in cleanup costs by using its available tools and implementing the report’s recommendations.
Interactive guide for communities and governments to help navigate nuclear waste cleanup The Energy Communities Alliance (ECA) recently released the Guide to Successful Environmental Cleanup, an interactive online resource that provides frequently asked questions, case studies, and recommendations regarding nuclear waste cleanup. To assist local government officials, their communities, and federal agencies in deciphering
the complexities of the environmental cleanup process, ECA developed this guide to facilitate future successful cleanups.
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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. |
Learn More about Cleanup Sites with ECA's DOE Site Profiles ECA's new site profiles detail DOE's 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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