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The NRC’s Role at Yucca Mountain:

The NRC’s Role at Yucca Mountain:. Judging the Safety of a Proposed Repository. C. William Reamer Director, Division of High-Level Waste Repository Safety (301) 415-5870 email: cbr@nrc.gov October 5, 2005. NRC’s Role on Yucca Mountain.

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The NRC’s Role at Yucca Mountain:

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  1. The NRC’s Role at Yucca Mountain: Judging the Safety of a Proposed Repository C. William Reamer Director, Division of High-Level Waste Repository Safety (301) 415-5870 email: cbr@nrc.gov October 5, 2005

  2. NRC’s Role on Yucca Mountain • Make an independent regulatory decision whether or not to license a Yucca Mountain repository • Primary mission is to protect public health and safety and the environment

  3. NRC’s Process for the Decision • NRC will make its decision on Yucca Mountain in two steps: • Decide whether or not to authorize construction; and if so, • When construction is substantially complete, decide whether or not to license receipt of HLW

  4. NRC’s Construction Authorization Decision Step • The construction authorization step includes: • Issue regulations for making a decision on a construction authorization • Conduct pre-application activities • If there’s an application, make a decision on construction authorization in three years • Keep the State and Affected Units of Local Government informed

  5. NRC’s Regulations for a Construction Authorization Decision • The ongoing rulemaking by the Environmental Protection Agency will require NRC to change its regulations

  6. NRC’s Pre-Application Activities • Monitor DOE activities on Yucca Mountain • Encourage a “high quality” license application • Ask questions • Become informed • Identify issues

  7. NRC’s Construction Authorization Decision • Receive, docket (if appropriate), evaluate and document safety findings on the application • Comply with NEPA by adopting DOE’s FEIS, if practicable • Hold a formal hearing under well-established rules • Make a decision based on all the information

  8. NRC’s Expertise to Evaluate and Document Safety • Experienced NRC technical staff • Independent contractor, Center for Nuclear Waste Regulatory Analyses (CNWRA) • Technical assistance/Research support • Facilities • Laboratories for independent investigations • Modeling and computing facilities • Field studies and inspections • On-site Representatives

  9. NRC’s Actions to Keep State and Affected Units Informed • Provide information • Seek public comment on proposed regulations and guidance • Conduct a public hearing (as discussed)

  10. Possible Outcomes Of NRC’s Licensing Process: • Deny the Application • Grant a Construction Authorization with Conditions • Grant a Construction Authorization

  11. Summary • Any NRC decision on a potential license application for a repository will: • be based on NRC staff’s comprehensive, independent safety review • Include a full and fair public hearing that follows formal, well-established rules to ensure an open, objective decision

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