Low-level waste management

This paper reviews the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff views on three aspects of the Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Amendments Act of 1985 (the Act). First, the Act confirmed that states are responsible for the safe disposal of classes A, B, and C low-level waste and established both incentives and penalties to encourage the formation of regional compacts for the development of low-level disposal facilities for that purpose. Second, the Act directed the NRC, among other things, to develop the capability to review and process an application within 15 months, and third, the Act directed the NRC to develop guidance on alternative to shallow land burial.