Środowisko i energia · 30.11.2004

Waste Characterization Program Documents Applicable to Transuranic Radioactive Waste From the Hanford Site for Disposal at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA, we or Agency) is announcing the availability of and soliciting public comment for 30 days on, Department of Energy (DOE) documents applicable to the characterization of transuranic (TRU) radioactive solid waste from the Plutonium Finishing Plant (PFP) at the Hanford site. The documents are available for review in the public dockets listed in SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. EPA is issuing this notice because the Agency must conduct an expedited review of one of the elements of Hanford's waste characterization (WC) processes, known as acceptable knowledge (AK). In June 2003, EPA conducted an inspection at Hanford, pursuant to 40 CFR 194.8, to evaluate the WC processes used for characterizing PFP solid waste. However, at that time, EPA did not examine the AK process for the same waste. In August 2003, EPA approved all WC components except AK for characterizing the PFP solid waste and noted in the approval letter that the PFP solid waste may not be disposed of at the WIPP because EPA had not examined and approved the AK process. In the absence of the EPA approval of this waste, however, in July 2004, the Department of Energy (DOE) mistakenly certifi