§2021c Responsibilities for Disposal of Low-level Radioactive Waste

Summary

States must provide places to dispose of low-level radioactive waste made in their state, either alone or with other states. That includes most class A, B, and C low-level waste made in the state and some Federal waste accepted for disposal. A regional disposal site does not have to take materials that are not low-level waste as defined in 10 CFR 61.55 (as of January 26, 1983) or materials from the Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program; however, a State or compact region may choose to accept them. The Federal Government must handle disposal of waste owned or made by the Department of Energy, waste from Navy ship decommissioning, waste from atomic weapons research, testing, development, or production, and any waste with radionuclide levels above the limits for class C. Waste that becomes a Federal responsibility under that high-level rule and comes from activities licensed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission must go to an NRC‑licensed facility that protects health and safety. The Secretary must send Congress a report within 12 months after January 15, 1986, describing the waste, disposal options, proposed actions, costs, who should pay, and any needed legal authority. The Secretary may not dispose of newly designated Federal high‑concentration waste until 90 days after that report is submitted. Defined terms: Low-level radioactive waste (classes A, B, C) — waste categories in 10 CFR 61.55 (as of Jan. 26, 1983). Federal-responsibility waste — DOE-owned/generated, Navy decommissioning, weapons RDT&P, or waste above class C limits.