§10107 Applicability to atomic energy defense activities

Summary

The chapter’s rules do not apply to atomic energy defense activities or to facilities used for them, except as described below. Within 2 years after January 7, 1983, the President must study whether to use space at one or more planned repositories to dispose of high-level radioactive waste from defense activities. The study must look at cost, health and safety, regulation, transport, public acceptability, and national security. If the President does not find that a separate defense-only repository is needed, the Secretary must quickly make arrangements to use one or more of those repositories and decide how to share development, construction, and operating costs. The Federal Government must pay the permanent disposal costs for defense high-level waste into the special account set up by law. Any repository used only for defense high-level waste must be licensed and meet the Commission’s rules for siting, building, and operating a repository. The chapter does apply to any repository that is not used exclusively for defense high-level waste or for certain research and development or spent fuel.