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EPA/AR | RIN: 2060-AP43 | Publication ID: Spring 2009 |
Title: ●Revision of Health and Environmental Protection Standards for Uranium and Thorium Mill Tailings and Uranium In Situ Leaching Processing Facilities | |
Abstract: EPAs regulations in 40 CFR 192 were written in accordance with Section 206(a) of the Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act (UMTRCA) which inserted a new section 275 in the Atomic Energy Act (AEA). They establish standards for protection of the public health, safety, and environment from radiological and nonradiological hazards associated with uranium ore processing, and disposal of resulting waste materials. These cross-media standards, which apply to pollutant emissions and site restoration, must be adopted by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, their Agreement States, and the Department of Energy. We propose to review all the standards in the existing rule, revise the regulations to take into account significant changes in uranium industry technologies and their potential impacts to groundwater and air quality, recent revisions in EPA drinking water protection standards, judicial decisions concerning the subject regulations, and need for new radiological risk assessments to take into account unanticipated risks to the general public and environment. Section 275 (b)(2) of the AEA authorized the Administrator to periodically revise the standards while section 275 (c) provided direction on how that must be accomplished. Since the regulations were last revised in 1995, increased demand for uranium to meet United States energy needs has resulted in significant public environmental concerns over uranium ore processing, particularly by In Situ Leaching (ISL) extraction methodologies. New facilities proposed in states from Virginia to Alaska, in addition to ongoing regulatory efforts by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for facility licensure and groundwater protection in advance of concomitant revised EPA standards, add to the justification for undertaking this effort. | |
Agency: Environmental Protection Agency(EPA) | Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant |
RIN Status: First time published in the Unified Agenda | Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Long-Term Actions |
Major: No | Unfunded Mandates: Undetermined |
CFR Citation: 40 CFR 192 | |
Legal Authority: 42 USC 2022 Atomic Energy Act sec 275 UMTRCA sec 206(a) 42 USC 2114 |
Legal Deadline:
None |
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Timetable:
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Additional Information: SAN No. 5319 | |
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No | Government Levels Affected: Federal |
Small Entities Affected: No | Federalism: No |
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No | |
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No | |
Agency Contact: Loren Setlow Environmental Protection Agency Air and Radiation 6608J, Washington, DC 20460 Phone:202 343-9445 Fax:202 343-2304 Email: Setlow.Loren@epamail.epa.gov Tom Peake Environmental Protection Agency Air and Radiation 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Mail Code 6608J, Washington, DC 20460 Phone:202 343-9765 Fax:202 343-2304 Email: peake.tom@epa.gov |