A Review Of Various Approaches Being Undertaken By Industrialized Nations For The Management And Disposal Of High Level Nuclear Waste

The high-level nuclear waste (HLW) disposal concept proposed by Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. was submitted for review by the federal environmental assessment and review process (EARP). This report summarizes the status of high-level nuclear waste management programs in other countries. A brief review of the Canadian HLW program is made for comparison with other countries' progress, particularly that of Belgium, France, the Federal Republic of Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United States, which are described in detail. For each country, descriptions are given of key organizations, disposal facility schedules, waste quantities, interim storage and transportation, site investigations, repository design, impact analysis, monitoring, licensing and other regulatory requirements, disposal concept assessment, and public participation processes.

Over the past decade significant progress has been achieved in the development of waste characterization and control procedures and equipment as a direct response to ever-increasing requirements for quality and reliability of information on waste characteristics. Failure in control procedures at any step can have important, adverse consequences and may result in producing waste packages which are not compliant with the waste acceptance criteria for disposal, thereby adversely impacting the repository. The information and guidance included in this publication corresponds to recent achievements and reflects the optimum approaches, thereby reducing the potential for error and enhancing the quality of the end product. -- Publisher's description.

In accordance with the terms of reference announced in October 1989, the Environmental Assessment Panel has completed its review of nuclear fuel waste management and a disposal concept proposed by Atmomic Energy of Canada Limited.

Simple text and photographs introduce the life of George Washington Carver.

Focused attention by world leaders is needed to address the substantial challenges posed by disposal of spent nuclear fuel from reactors and high-level radioactive waste from processing such fuel. The biggest challenges in achieving safe and secure storage and permanent waste disposal are societal, although technical challenges remain. Disposition of radioactive wastes in a deep geological repository is a sound approach as long as it progresses through a stepwise decision-making process that takes advantage of technical advances, public participation, and international cooperation. Written for concerned citizens as well as policymakers, this book was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and waste management organizations in eight other countries.

"This document will look at conflicts between treaty provisions and domestic legislation, taking as its example the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). It will begin with a discussion of the procedure for ratifying treaties and passing legislation and will conclude with an explanation of the basic principles of implementing and interpreting treaties and laws"--Introduction.