Environmental Impact Statement - radioactive monticello

Appendix A
Response: Radiological impacts of normal operations were considered and evaluated in the
GEIS and the staff concluded that these impacts were small. In this SEIS, issued as a
supplement to the GELS, the staff determined whether any new and significant information is
available that would change the conclusion reached in the GElS (i.e., that these impacts would
be small). No such new and significant information was identified. The comment does not
provide any new and significant information; therefore, no changes were made to the SEIS text.
Comment: Section 6.1, The Uranium Fuel Cycle, page 6-3. Under the bullet point for Off-site
radiological impacts (individual effects from other than disposal of spent fuel and high level
waste disposal), no consideration appears to be given to the potential long term storage of the
spent fuel and high level waste materials on site until such time as a permanent facility is finally
licensed and begins to accept these materials for disposal. A reference to other sections that
this evaluation may have been included in should be provided here as well as in other sections,
or if this evaluation has not been adequately conducted, the issue needs to be considered and
an appropriate evaluation conducted. (H-9)
Comment: Section 6.1, The Uranium Fuel Cycle, page 6-8, under the bullet point for On-site
Spent Fuel. A more thorough evaluation for the volume of spent fuel expected to be generated
during the additional licensed time needs to be provided along with more specific information as
to site specific circumstances that may impair or improve the risk values for potential exposures
to this spent fuel storage. (H-1 0)
Response: Onsite storage of spent nuclear fuel is a Category-1 issue. The safety and
environmental effects of long-term storage of spent fuel onsite have been evaluated by the
NRC and, as set forth in the Waste Confidence Rule at 10 CFR 51.23 (available at
htt:I//www.nrc.qov/readinq-rm/doc-collections/cfr/partO51/part051-0O23.html), the NRC
generically determined that "..if necessary, spent fuel generated in any reactor can be stored
safely and without significant environmental impacts for at least 30 years beyond the licensed
life for operation (which may include the term of a revised or renewed license) of that reactor at
its spent fuel storage basin or at either onsite or offsite independent spent fuel storage
installations. Further, the Commission believes there is reasonable assurance that at least one
mined geologic repository will be available within the first quarter of the twenty-first century and
sufficient repository capacity will be available within 30 years beyond the licensed life for
operation of any reactor to dispose of the commercial high-level waste and spent fuel
originating in any such reactor and generated up to that time." Section 6.1 provides the
information available regarding the status of the application for a high-level waste repository.
The comment provides no new and significant information; therefore, no changes were made to
the SEIS text.
A.2.16
Comments Concerning Decommissioning
Comment: Section 7.1, Decommissioning, page 7-2, under bullet point Radiation Doses. As
the GElS is based on a forty-year licensing period, an extension of this period would have an
impact that we suggest needs to be quantified and reported. We recommend including this
NUREG-1437, Supplement 26 A-52 August 2006 1