NWP2

Nuclear Waste Program (NWP): 

Nuclear Waste Program (NWP) Exists to ensure sound management of nuclear waste statewide and to promote the sound management and protection of the environment at, and adjacent to, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Hanford Site.

Program Objectives: 

Program Objectives Enforce regulatory compliance and cleanup at the Hanford Site and at other facilities managing nuclear waste statewide. Promote public involvement, congressional and federal contact, and interstate activities in order to enhance nuclear waste management, compliance, and cleanup of the Hanford Site. Ensure appropriate oversight for the safe management and disposal of radioactive wastes at the Richland commercial low-level radioactive waste disposal site.

Program Structure: 

Program Structure

Tank Waste Disposal Project: 

Tank Waste Disposal Project Purpose: Regulatory Oversight for Treatment, Disposal, and Offsite Shipment of High-Level Radioactive–Mixed Waste Primary Authorizing Rules and Statutes: WAC 173-303 RCW 70.105 Project Focus: Design, permitting, construction, and operation of Hanford Waste Treatment Plant Supplemental Tank Waste Treatment Capacity Integrated Disposal Facility (Immobilized Low Activity Waste) Immobilized High Level Waste Storage Facility Goal: Treat and Dispose of High-Level Tank Waste to Support Closure of All 177 Hanford Tanks by 2028

Performance Measures: 

Performance Measures Full-Scale Operation of Waste Treatment Plant by 2011 Key: Output Outcome Develop Approach to Treat Remaining Tank Waste – Complete Treatment by 2028 Provide Facilities for Safe Disposal of Immobilized Low Activity Tank Waste and Mixed Waste Provide Facilities for Storage and Transportation of Immobilized High-Level Tank Waste

Performance Measures: 

Performance Measures Key: Output Outcome Develop Approach to Treat Remaining Tank Waste – Complete Treatment by 2028 Provide Facilities for Disposal of Immobilized Low Activity Tank Waste and Mixed Waste Supplemental Treatment (Bulk Vitrification) Research, Development, & Design Permit 4 Documents Submitted -- 3 Approved 1 Permit Modification Document Submitted and Pending Approval (July) Construction – 15 % Completed Test Boxes - 0 Melted Integrated Disposal Facility Construction – 35% Complete

Current Status: 

Current Status Key: Status Summary Note Supplemental Treatment Research Development & Design Permit Issued 12/04 $20 Million Cost Increase COST ($ Million) SCHEDULE Schedule Slip – 6 Months Test Facility Under Construction

Current Status: 

Current Status Key: Status Summary Note Immobilized Storage and Disposal Facilities Permitting and Design of Both Facilities on Schedule 3 Temporary Authorizations Issued for Integrated Disposal Facility Excavation for First 1/3 of Facility Clay Test-Bed and Installation of Monitoring Wells Construction of Clay Liner for First 1/3 of Facility Disposal Facility Under Construction

Tri-Party Agreement Milestones: 

Tri-Party Agreement Milestones 2003 2006 2009 2012 2015 2018 Status: On Schedule Concerned In Trouble

Next Steps / Path Forward: 

Next Steps / Path Forward Next Steps (3-6 Months): Develop Campaign Test Plans for Bulk Vitrification Begin Assessing Quality of Bulk Vitrification Glass Supplemental Treatment Path Forward (1-3 Years): USDOE Submits Report on Supplemental Treatment Options (06/06) 2nd Low-Activity Waste Vitrification Plant Full-Size Bulk Vitrification Facility Ecology Decision on Preferred Supplemental Treatment Option for Remaining Low-Activity Tank Waste

Next Steps / Path Forward: 

Next Steps / Path Forward Next Steps (3-6 Months): Issue Integrated Disposal Facility Permit Maintain Progress/Momentum on Construction of Integrated Disposal Facility Path Forward (1-3 Years): Integrated Disposal Facility – Operational (2006) Resolve Issues on USDOE Solid Waste Environmental Impact Statement Modify Permit to Include Additional Waste Forms