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Dry Cask Storage
Frequently Asked Questions
| Question |
Answer |
| Environment |
|
| In general, what are the environmental
impacts resulting from dry cask storage at IPEC? |
Environmental impacts resulting from the Independent
Spent fuel Storage Installation ISFSI, are minimal
both for construction (placement of an approximately
100' X 200' concrete pad) and use of the facility.
It is important to note that there is no radiologically
contaminated storm water runoff, since the canisters
holding the fuel are seal-welded shut.
|
| Has an environmental impact assessment
been done for dry cask storage at IPEC? |
A Generic Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was
performed for Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installations
by the NRC. 10 CFR Part 51, “Environmental Protection
Regulations for Domestic Licensing and Related Regulatory
Function” (www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/cfr/part051/).
Specifically Part 51.23, “Temporary storage of
spent fuel after cessation of reactor operation--generic
determination of no significant environmental impact” states
that the NRC has made a generic determination that spent
fuel can be stored safely and without significant environmental
impacts for at least 30 years beyond the licensed reactor
life at the independent spent fuel storage installation. |
| Has an environmental impact assessment
been performed for the transport of spent fuel? |
Yes, the NRC completed that study and issued the
Final Environmental Statement on the Transportation
of Radioactive Material by Air and Other Modes in 1977
(NUREG-0170). USNRC (U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission).
1977.
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| Licensing |
|
| Is the IPEC ISFSI licensed by the NRC? |
Yes, the NRC approved this dry storage method under
a general license, publishing a final rule in 10 CFR
Part 72 entitled, ``General License for Storage of Spent
Fuel at Power Reactor Sites'' (55 FR 29181; July 18,
1990) for 10 CFR 50 reactor Licensees (www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/cfr/part072/).
In the Federal Register: May 1, 2000 (Volume 65, Number
84)], [Rules and Regulations], [Page 25241-25265], the
NRC published a supplemental document entitled “List
of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks: Holtec HI-STORM
100 Addition” which identifies the Holtec cask
system IPEC is using, as meeting the requirements of
10 CFR Part 72 .(www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-GENERAL/2000/May/Day-01/g10393.htm ) |
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| Quality Assurance |
|
| A former Exelon employee has alleged that
Holtec has a quality assurance problem and that the NRC
failed to provide adequate oversight of Holtec. Please
discuss the validity of this person’s claims. |
A former Exelon employee filed allegations with
the NRC in 2002, claiming that Holtec cask integrity
was
in question due to issues with quality assurance. The
NRC performed an investigation and subsequently dismissed
the allegations. The Office of the Inspector General
OIG then reviewed the NRC’s investigation as part
of their ongoing responsibility to conduct audits of
NRC's programs and operations. After reviewing NRC’s
inspection history at Holtec, OIG determined that NRC’s
handling of the individual’s concern was appropriate,
and found no violations of NRC regulations or safety
significant deficiencies. This sequence of events illustrates
the system of checks and balances that NRC and OIG
operate within, ie:
- Allegations were brought up
- NRC investigated them
- The independent OIG investigated
NRC actions and issued a report
The process has been open, evaluated
and documented. |
BACK TO TOP
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Overview
Concrete
ISFSI Pad
Fuel
Storage
Building Modifications
Storm
water control
Radiation
Protection
Seismic
Concerns
Criticality
Prevention
Holtec
Security
Yucca
Mountain
Transportation
and Roads
Environment
Licensing
Quality Assurance
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