U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission's Final Regulations for Disposal of High-Level Radioactive Wastes in a Potential Geologic Repository at Yucca Mountain.
McCartin, T. ; Kotra, J. ; Pohle, J. ; Wittmeyer, G.
On February 22, 1999, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) proposed licensing criteria in a new, separate part of its regulations, at 10 CFR Part 63 (hereafter referred to as Part 63), for disposal of high-level radioactive waste (HLW) in a potential geologic repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada. After publication of the proposed Part 63, the staff provided members of the public and other stakeholders multiple opportunities to discuss the proposed requirements. On June 13, 2001, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued final environmental standards for a potential geologic repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada at 40 CFR Part 197, as mandated by the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EnPA). The NRC has prepared its final regulations based on careful review and consideration of the public comments received on its proposed rule and the statutory direction for NRC to adopt technical criteria consistent with final EPA standards.