NGA document lays out radwaste definitions, disposal paths

t’s not exactly radioactive waste definitions for dummies, but a National Governors Association task force has produced a document to help state and federal agencies stay on the same page when discussing cleanup of government nuclear weapons testing and production.

“The purpose of this document is to help states impacted by cleanup at U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) nuclear weapons cleanup sites clarify the radioactive waste classifications that underpin cleanup activities,” according to the 10-page document.

“Ensuring Clarity and Transparency in Radioactive Waste Definitions,” was published earlier this month by the National Governor Association (NGA) federal facilities task force.

The chart identifies types of radioactive waste that currently lack a clearly-defined and available disposal site. High-level waste connected with reprocessing currently has no deep geologic repository as does spent nuclear fuel withdrawn from reactors.

As for Greater-than-Class-C waste, DOE has done an environmental study and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission is working on a licensing rule for “near-surface disposal” of this waste, NGA said.

The document also touches on the DOE Environmental Management office’s 2021 reinterpretation of high-level waste where some of the less risky high-level waste could be disposed of sites licensed for low-level waste, rather than deep underground.