§10204 Subseabed Disposal

Summary

Create an Office of Subseabed Disposal Research inside the Office of Science at the Department of Energy. The Office must be led by a Director who is a Senior Executive Service member appointed by the Director of the Office of Science and paid under the law. The Director is in charge of research, development, and demonstration work on subseabed disposal of high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel, under the Secretary’s general oversight. The Secretary may give grants or sign contracts with the Subseabed Consortium and others. Within 60 days of December 22, 1987, the Secretary must set up a university-based Subseabed Consortium with leading oceanographic universities, national labs, and other groups. The Consortium must make a research plan and budget to meet goals by 1995: show how to find and study possible subseabed sites; create conceptual designs with cost and institutional needs; and check effects on people and the marine environment. The Consortium must report to Congress in 1990 and again in 1995 on progress toward these goals.