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NRC RIN: 3150-AK00 Publication ID: Fall 2017 
Title: Greater-Than-Class-C and Transuranic Waste [NRC-2017-0081] 
Abstract:

This rulemaking would improve the effectiveness of the waste regulatory framework by addressing licensing requirements for the land disposal of Greater-Than-Class-C and Transuranic Waste. In 10 CFR 61.55, the NRC developed a classification system for low-level radioactive waste (LLRW) which categorizes waste as Class A, B, C, or Greater-Than-Class C (GTCC). GTCC is LLRW with concentrations of radionuclides that exceed the limits established by the Commission for Class C LLRW. GTCC waste is generated by nuclear power reactors, other supporting nuclear fuel cycle facilities, and also other facilities and licensees outside of the nuclear fuel cycle. GTCC includes: (1) Plutonium-contaminated nuclear fuel cycle wastes; (2) Activated metals; (3) Sealed sources; and (4) Radioisotope product manufacturing wastes. On January 30, 2015, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality sent a letter to the NRC with questions concerning the State's authority to license a disposal cell for GTCC, GTCC-like, and transuranic waste. The NRC staff conducted an analysis of the questions Texas posed and developed three options, outlined in SECY-15-0094, Historical and Current Issues Related to Disposal of Greater-Than-Class C Low-Level Radioactive Waste (ADAMS Accession No. ML15162A849). In December 2015, the Commission, in a Staff Requirements Memorandum for SECY-15-0094 (Accession No. ML15356A623), directed the NRC staff to develop a regulatory basis for disposal of GTCC and transuranic waste, and as a result of its analysis, that some or all GTCC waste is potentially suitable for near-surface disposal, the NRC staff should proceed with the development of a proposed rule to include disposal criteria for licensing the disposal of such waste under 10 CFR part 61. 

 
Agency: Nuclear Regulatory Commission(NRC)  Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant 
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Prerule Stage 
Major: No  Unfunded Mandates: No 
EO 13771 Designation: Independent agency 
CFR Citation: 10 CFR 61   
Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. 2201    42 U.S.C. 5841   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
Regulatory Basis   11/00/2017 
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No  Government Levels Affected: None 
Small Entities Affected: No  Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No 
Agency Contact:
Stephen Dembek
Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards,
Washington, DC 20555-0001
Phone:301 415-2342
Email: stephen.dembek@nrc.gov