ABSTRACT - INMM ANNUAL MEETING 1994 AGREEMENT STATE REGULATORY ASPECTS OF LOW LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTE

The Atomic Energy Act of 1952 allowed the former Atomic Energy Commission (now U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission) to delegate authority to the states for regulation of the possession, use, storage, and disposal of radioactive materials through formal agreements. These agreement states have played a major role in the development and regulatory oversite of the commercial low level radioactive waste sites throughout the country. The regulation and management of low level radioactive waste has evolved significantly over the last twenty years. The agreements states have developed important regulations, criteria, and standards for the safe disposal and isolation of these wastes. This paper will discuss the problems encountered at each of the commercial sites, the regulatory and technical changes, and the impacts the federal 10CFR Part 61 and the Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Amendments Act of 1985 have had on the sites. The uncertainty of the development of future low level radioactive waste sites is very evident, although the technical issues have been resolved. If the political issues are not resolved, the nation will be faced with an urgent dilemma of storing waste at the site of generation.