One Step at a Time The Staged Development of Geologic Repositories for High-Level Radioactive Waste (2003) / Chapter Skim
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6. Findings and Recommendations
6. Findings and Recommendations
Pages 123-137
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From page 123... ...
Therefore, findings and recommendations are preceded by the committee's definition of a successful repository program. 6.1 Commidee's clefinition of a successful geologic repository program First and foremost, the absolute measure of success of a geologic repository is the extent to which it isolates the waste from the accessible environment as far into the future as the waste remains hazardous.
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From page 124... ...
Repository implementers often view the latter as a measure of success. 6.2 Adaptive Staging offers a promising approach to successful geologic repository development 1.
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From page 125... ...
Nevertheless, the Adaptive Staging strategy is consistent with any project management approach that requires simultaneous attention to societal, institutional, and technical concerns. The Adaptive Staging approach in repository development also has features in common with environmental management concepts proposed in the recent ISO 14000 standards, which also emphasize commitment to systematic learning and to looking beyond simple compliance with regulations.
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From page 126... ...
It has been argued that the security of nuclear materials is easier to ensure if they are emplaced deep underground; thus, those materials should be emplaced in a geologic repository as soon as they are ready for disposal. Therefore, it is necessary to consider whether adopting Adaptive Staging could greatly affect the time frames during which different types of wastes (defense high-level waste or spent fuel versus commercial spent fuel)
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From page 127... ...
6~6 Adaptive Staging encourages opportunities for interactions with stakeholders and the general public Stakeholder input to the decision-making process is of paramount importance for effective implementation of Adaptive Staging. An essential component of systematic learning is proactively seeking stakeholder involvement, rather than limiting involvement to public information meetings such as hearings or comment periods, which are often characteristic of Linear Staging.
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From page 128... ...
Adaptive Staging can be compatible with current regulatory systems if regulators are responsive to the development of new knowledge and reduction of uncertainties at succeeding steps of the repository program. For Adaptive Staging to be effective, the regulatory system
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The previous findings are generic, applicable to any repository program, including the Yucca Mountain project. The following are additional findings and conclusions specific to Yucca Mountain repository program (see cletails in Chapter 5~.
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The committee believes that the features of Adaptive Staging have the potential to address the technical and societal challenges of geologic repository development. This belief is based on the commidee's knowledge of repository programs worldwide, considerations of other com
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From page 131... ...
Implementation of Adaptive Staging will likely entail new and significant organizational and institutional challenges. For instance, learning will be minimal unless the implementer actively seeks out alternative viewpoints, openly acknowledges errors and uncertainties, specifically addresses societal issues, and organizes and undertakes relevant research to improve the knowledge base.
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From page 132... ...
During the decades of repository operation it is prudent, and it will be expected by the public, that the implementer continues to analyze whether initial safely assumptions remain valid and also continues to improve the system. To support this learning, repository programs should have: · a broad, comprehensive, long-term science and technology program that continues throughout the lifetime of repository operations; is targeted and accountable, peer-reviewed, and of sufficient breadth to address key knowIedge gaps, including those in social sciences; and also defines learning objectives for each stage; .
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From page 133... ...
An essential component of continuous learning is proactively seeking stakeholder involvement rather than limiting involvement to public information meetings, which are often characteristic of Linear Staging procedures. A promising mechanism for stakeholder involvement, discussed in the National Research Council report Understanding Risk (NRC, 1996)
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examine the possibilities for demonstration activities. The committee recommends the introduction of a pilot stage designed to maximize systematic learning opportunities in the Yucca Mountain Project.
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present a safety analysis and a safety case based on the full inventory. If DOE decides to begin its repository program with a reducedscale pilot stage, it should nevertheless develop both a safety analysis for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and a safely case for stakeholders and the general public based on a full-inventory repository.
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continue to promote a safety culture throughout the long duration of the Yucca Mountain Project. Adaptive Staging is consistent with the considerable effort that has been devoted to developing a safety culture in the nuclear area (Sections 2.2 and 4.~.
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The committee recognizes, however, that these improvements will occur only if the implementer's organizational culture allows changes, and it acknowledges that this approach is untried. These counterbalancing arguments lead to the cautious caveats applied to the committee's recommendations but should not detract from the consensus reached: because of the distinctive challenges faced in developing a geologic repository program (see Section 1.2.~)
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