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WIPP

Below are the latest information and documents on current topics such as recertification and ongoing inspection activities:

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Drum Accidentally Punctured in the WIPP Underground

On the morning of August 4, 2008, DOE notified EPA that during underground operations on August 3, 2008, WIPP staff noticed that a drum had a 1-2 inch gash in it. DOE believes that the drum was punctured during emplacement activities. Initial tests conducted by DOE detected no releases in the area of the drum or in the radiation monitors at WIPP. DOE has temporarily halted shipments to WIPP.

Additional tests have been done (including the entire area around the payload stacks and breached drum) through August 5, 2008, and DOE has still detected no radiation from the drum. The drum contains waste from a debris waste stream and the waste is in an inner plastic bag that apparently has not ruptured. The drum has been sealed and DOE plans to have it overpacked underground. Waste shipments will continue to be suspended until final disposition of the drum is determined.

Los Alamos National Laboratory TRU waste shipments suspension lifted

On June 6, 2008, EPA was notified by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) that on May 20, 2008, the Central Characterization Program (CCP) at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) shipped an improperly certified non-conformant (NCR) drum (# LAS817174) of contact handled (CH) transuranic (TRU) waste containing prohibited liquids to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) for disposal. According to the DOE notification, the drum was mistakenly added to a group of TRU waste drums, over packed in a standard waste box (SWB), and emplaced in the repository on May 28, 2008.  As a result, EPA and the Department of Energy (DOE) Carlsbad Field Office (CBFO) had mutually agreed to suspend shipments from LANL to WIPP.   

EPA conducted an initial inspection at LANL on June 25, 2008, and on July 29, 2008, EPA conducted a follow-up inspection at LANL regarding the events that led to the emplacement at WIPP of the non-conformant drum.  These inspections by EPA staff included the following:

Based on the documentation provided by DOE and EPA’s review of the events leading to the incorrect shipment of the drum from LANL, on July 29 EPA concurred with CBFO’s decision to resume shipment of LANL’s CH TRU waste except for most containers from the MIN-03 and CIN-02 solid waste streams.  These waste streams could be shipped after EPA evaluates the CCP data center database used by LANL-CCP for screening compliant drums.

Below, you will find correspondence between EPA and DOE related to this incident.

In addition to the letters, we received the information below from DOE related to the LANL-CCP errant drum.

Magnesium Oxide (MgO) -- Planned Change Request

On April 10, 2006, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) submitted a planned change request pertaining to the amount of MgO emplaced in the WIPP repository. MgO is an engineered barrier that DOE included as part of the original WIPP Certification Decision that ensures repository releases will be well-within EPA's regulatory limits.

On February 11, 2008, EPA issued it's final decision regarding the MgO Planned Change Request after reviewing all submitted information and public comments. The Agency's letter, along with supporting documentation, can be found below in Adobe .pdf format:

All current documentation related to this change request is available below, in Adobe .pdf format. Included in these documents is both EPA and DOE's public fact sheets for MgO. DOE's fact sheet includes an in-depth background and history related to MgO, as well as the proposed change, rationale, and projected impact on WIPP performance. In conjunction, EPA's fact sheet describes how the public can submit comments and stay up-to-date on future developments on this issue.

Fact Sheets
Correspondence:

EPA WIPP Project Plan

EPA has created a anticipated project plan (updated February 2008) that outlines milestones and dates for some major WIPP activities through the next calendar year. This document, as well as a more detailed description of the items included in the project plan, are available for viewing/download below (Adobe .pdf format). Please note that this is only a projected schedule; therefore, any of this information is subject to change at any time.

Shielded Containers

On November 15, 2007, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) submitted a planned change request proposing to package and emplace a portion of the Remote Handled (RH) Transuranic (TRU) Waste Inventory in shielded containers at the WIPP.

Documentation related to this change request is available below, in Adobe .pdf format. One of the documents is a fact sheet that provides the background and history of the issue, a summary of the proposed change as well as DOE’s rationale and the projected impact on WIPP performance.

Fact Sheets

On December 7, 2007, EPA submitted preliminary comments to DOE regarding their Shielded Containers planned change request. These comments can be viewed below in Adobe (.pdf) format:

EPA opened an unofficial 60-day public comment period, which closed on January 29, 2008. EPA is in the process of reviewing these comments, and any additional updates will be posted as they become available.

Idaho National Laboratory TRU waste shipments temporarily suspended

On July 17, 2007, EPA received written notification from the Department of Energy (DOE) that on June 26, the Advanced Mixed Waste Treatment Project (AMWTP) at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) shipped a 55-gallon drum of transuranic (TRU) waste that had not been properly characterized and certified in accordance with EPA requirements to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) for disposal. According to the DOE notification, the drum was mistakenly added to a group of TRU waste drums, packed, and shipped to WIPP, and, subsequently, emplaced in the repository.

DOE reports that it has reviewed the data and information it has about the contents of the drum and has concluded that the waste in the drum is well within the bounds of the repository performance assessment requirements. According to the DOE notification, the data collected on this drum provides the basis for concluding that this drum has no detrimental impact upon the repository’s performance. DOE’s Carlsbad Field Office (CBFO) also concludes that this situation has not created a condition that endangers human health or the environment.

DOE reports that TRU waste shipments from INL have been temporarily suspended. EPA is working with the New Mexico Department of the Environment and DOE to evaluate the reported infractions and to implement corrective actions. EPA will continue to assess the situation at WIPP and INL-AMWTP and provide updates on actions and activities at both facilities related to this incident.

UPDATE: On August 7, 2007, EPA plans to conduct an inspection of AMWTP at INL in Idaho Falls, Idaho. During the inspection, EPA will verify that AMWTP has adequately implemented corrective actions to address the packaging and disposal of the uncertified TRU waste drum that recently took place. Soon after AMWTP noticed the error, AMWTP/DOE-CBFO voluntarily suspended all future shipments of TRU waste to WIPP for disposal. AMWTP developed corrective actions which CBFO approved and evaluated for implementation at AMWTP. EPA, under authority from 40 CFR 194.24(c)(4), will verify adequacy of the corrective actions implemented at AMWTP before concurring with CBFO's decision to allow the site to resume shipment of TRU waste to WIPP for disposal. EPA will provide the inspection results after completing the August 7, 2007, inspection.

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Biennial Environmental Compliance Report (2002-2004)

Section 9 of the 1992 WIPP Land Withdrawal Act (LWA) specifies that every two years DOE must demonstrate that the WIPP facility complies with applicable Federal laws pertaining to public health and safety of the environment, including the regulations and permit requirements under such laws.  This report is submitted to the EPA as the Biennial Environmental Compliance Report (BECR).  Under the WIPP LWA, EPA is mandated to review the information and determine compliance or non-compliance during the reporting period.

After thorough review, EPA has concluded that, for the reporting period of April 1, 2002, through March 31, 2004, the WIPP has remained in compliance with applicable environmental Federal laws and regulations.  The Agency’s approval letter can be viewed/downloaded below (in Adobe .pdf format):

EPA just received the 2004-2006 BECR from DOE in November 2006 and will make a final determination sometime in the Summer of 2007.

U.S. DOE Documents -- Karst Report (John C. Lorenz) and Magenta Transmissivity Fact Sheet

EPA has recently received two documents from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The first is a report by John C. Lorenz of Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) that addresses the issue of Karst at the WIPP site. The second outlines DOE's investigations into Magenta Transmissivity. In response to stakeholder interest, we are posting them here for viewing/downloading purposes in Adobe .pdf format.

Final Baseline Decision -- Advanced Mixed Waste Treatment Program (AMWTP) Waste Characterization Activities at Idaho National Laboratory (INL)/Central Characterization Project (CCP)

EPA conducted a baseline inspection at INL-CCP the week of May 3, 2005. Under the newly-revised WIPP Compliance Criteria (40 CFR Part 194), the Agency announced the inspection on this web site and the WIPP-NEWS listserv. A Federal Register notice (September 9, 2005; 70 FR 53659) was also published, announcing the proposed approval of the waste characterization activities at INL-CCP. The FR notice outlined EPA's draft baseline inspection report and summarized the inspection results, findings, and proposed tiering designations. A public comment period of 45 days was also opened on the draft inspection report and proposed approval.

After evaluating all public comments, EPA has approved the disposal of TRU waste, as characterized by INL-CCP, according to the conditions outlined in our approval letter and final inspection report. EPA will evaluation additions and changes to the INL-CCP waste characterization program according to the tiering requirements established in the inspection report. To view all documents related to this action, please click on the following link for EPA's EDOCKET created for this inspection:

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EPA Reaches Completeness Determination on Department of Energy's (DOE's) Compliance Recertification Application (CRA)

EPA has determined that DOE's Compliance Recertification Application for WIPP is now complete. This completeness determination is an administrative step required under the WIPP Compliance Criteria (40 CFR Part 194). This determination indicates that DOE has provided information relevant to each applicable provision of the WIPP Compliance Criteria and in sufficient detail for EPA to proceed with a full technical review of the CRA.

In accordance with our requirements under the WIPP Land Withdrawal Act (LWA), EPA will make its final recertification decision within six months of the date of its completeness determination. A Federal Register Notice documenting our decision was published on October 20, 2005. The comment period on the CRA will remain open for an additional 45 days until December 5, 2005. The letter transmitting our determination, as well as the Federal Register Notice, is posted below in Adobe .pdf format:

Prior to making our completeness determination, DOE also submitted revised, summary information related to WIPP's inventory and the performance assessment (PA). EPA does not consider this information to be a completeness issue. However, since it is part of what we will be reviewing under our full technical evaluation, we are also making it available to the public:

Remember
Supplementary information on the these reports is also available. To request any of these files (hard copy or electronic), please send an e-mail to Ray Lee (lee.raymond@epa.gov).

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Public Meetings -- WIPP Recertification

EPA recently held public meetings in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on June 7, 2005. The purpose of these meetings was to provide a forum to discuss the Agency's recertification process and related issues or concerns from the public. Information on specific WIPP technical issues (e.g., performance assessment, waste inventory, karst), as well as details on our projected schedule & timeline for completeness and final recertification decision was provided to the public. The US Department of Energy (DOE) was also on hand to provide information on its Recertification Application.

Six fact sheets were developed on a number of WIPP topics for the meetings.
These fact sheets are available below:

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Idaho National Laboratories Advanced Mixed Waste Treatment Project Approval for Super-compacted (Compressed) Waste

EPA performed an inspection in March 2005 to examine Idaho National Laboratories (INL)/Advanced Mixed Waste Treatment Project's (AMWTP) ability to characterize contact-handled (CH) transuranic (TRU) debris waste and super-compacted/compressed debris waste. The Agency recently issued its approval for INL/AMWTP to characterize and dispose of this waste at WIPP. This approval is outlined in the following documents below:

Previously in March 2004, EPA issued an approval for the overall concept that allowed the US Department of Energy (DOE) to dispose of super-compacted/compressed waste from INL/AMWTP. However, this approval also stated that waste characterization inspections at INL/AMWTP were required prior to the disposal of any super-compacted waste at WIPP (hence, our recent March 2005 inspection). For more details on the original approval of the super-compacted/compressed waste concept, see EPA Approves DOE's Request to Dispose of Compressed Waste at WIPP below.

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Final Rule -- Alternative Provisions to 40 CFR Part 194

EPA has finalized changes to the criteria used to determine whether the WIPP complies with the Agency's radioactive waste disposal standards. The final rule for this action was published in the Federal Register on July 16, 2004. An Adobe .pdf version of the rule can be found below:

Final Rule (PDF) (13 pp, 111 Kb)

These changes:
Based on extensive oversight experience with the WIPP, and after consideration of all public comments, EPA is finalizing the following changes to the compliance criteria:

These updates ensure that the WIPP compliance criteria remain comprehensive and appropriate, based upon current knowledge and information. The new provisions maintain the current technical approach EPA uses during its independent inspections to evaluate a site's waste characterization capabilities, and do not lessen the requirements the Department of Energy must meet to comply with Agency's radioactive waste disposal standards.

The proposed rule, entitled "Criteria for the Certification and Recertification of the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant's Compliance with 40 CFR Part 191 Disposal Regulations; Alternative Provisions," was published in the Federal Register on August 9, 2002, which marked the beginning of a 120-day comment period. Public hearings were also held in Albuquerque and Santa Fe, New Mexico, on September 24-25, 2002. Background material supporting this final action (i.e., Technical Support Document, Response to Comments) is also available. Please refer to EPA's EDOCKET site for online .pdf versions of these documents.

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EPA Approves DOE's Request to Dispose of Compressed Waste at WIPP

On March 26, 2004, EPA approved DOE’s request to allow disposal in WIPP of compressed waste from the Advanced Mixed Waste Treatment Facility at the Idaho National Environmental and Engineering Laboratory site. EPA’s evaluation of this request found that disposing of compressed waste in WIPP does not impact the long-term performance of the repository. As with other wastes, before allowing shipment for disposal at WIPP, EPA will conduct an on-site inspection to evaluate DOE’s ability to measure and track the contents of this type of waste.

What is Compressed TRU Waste?

This type of transuranic (TRU) radioactive waste is compressed using special equipment at the Advanced Mixed Waste Treatment Facility within the Idaho National Environmental and Engineering Laboratory (INEEL) site. The Department of Energy (DOE) designed this special equipment to compress standard 55-gallon drums of transuranic (TRU) waste and combine them into one waste package. Three to five of these compressed 55-gallon drums are placed in a 100-gallon shipping container that looks like a large 55-gallon drum Although more waste is concentrated into one container, a shipment of compressed waste contains less radioactivity than a comparable shipment of standard 55-gallon drums. This is accomplished by carefully managing the TRU wastes that are compressed and packaged together to meet the allowable shipping limits on radioactive containers for WIPP.

Why does DOE want to compress waste?

In December 2002, DOE requested EPA’s approval to dispose of waste from this compression process in WIPP. By using this process, DOE intends to reduce the volume of TRU waste that is to be shipped from INEEL to WIPP. By reducing the volume of waste, DOE also expects to reduce the transportation costs associated with shipping the waste to WIPP.

Is compressed waste different from the waste that already goes to WIPP?

The wastes before and after compression are classified as TRU waste, the only type of waste that is allowed to be disposed of at WIPP. Although the compressed waste is still TRU waste, some of the non-radioactive properties of the compressed waste are different than the waste in the standard 55-gallon containers. For example, although the 100-gallon compressed waste containers have no more radioactivity than a standard 55-gallon container, a compressed waste drum may contains more cellulosic, plastic, and rubber material. Because of the these differences, EPA conducted a thorough analysis of the DOE proposal requesting approval to dispose of compressed waste in WIPP.

Why did EPA decide to allow this type of waste at WIPP?

Since December 2002, EPA has been working hard to understand and evaluate the impact that compressed waste could have on the WIPP repository. EPA’s analysis shows that having compressed waste in the WIPP repository does not impact the long-term safety and performance of WIPP. WIPP can safely contain regular and compressed waste.

When will this type of waste by shipped to WIPP?

Although EPA has approved DOE’s request to dispose of compressed waste in WIPP, DOE cannot ship compressed waste until EPA conducts inspections and approves the waste characterization and quality assurance programs of the waste compression process at INEEL. These inspections are conducted at all the sites that send waste to WIPP. They ensure that DOE knows enough about the waste that is going to WIPP and that they can track the waste from shipment through emplacement in the repository.

EPA does not expect to conduct an inspection of compressed waste activities until 2005. Compressed waste cannot be shipped to WIPP until EPA conducts its inspections. EPA will announce the inspection schedule on the EPA Web site when the dates have been determined.

How much waste will be compressed?

DOE plans to compress the waste of approximately 224,374 standard 55-gallon drums into 52,440 100-gallon drums. According to DOE projections, the compressed waste will be approximately 11.8% of the total volume of contact-handled waste emplaced in WIPP.

Compressing waste containers will allow DOE to put more actual waste containers in WIPP than DOE previously stated. However, the radioactivity of all the WIPP waste containers still cannot exceed the limit set by Congress in the 1992 WIPP Land Withdrawal Act.

Where can I get more information about compressed waste?

EPA’s letter to DOE approving the disposal of compressed waste from INEEL and EPA’s supporting technical evaluation is available at any of our docket locations.

This documentation can also be downloaded in Adobe .pdf format below:

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EPA Issues Final Decision on Remote-Handled Transuranic (RH-TRU) Waste

EPA has approved the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) general framework for characterizing remote-handled (RH) transuranic (TRU) waste. After an intensive and detailed review, EPA has concluded that the RH Waste Characterization Program Implementation Plan (WCPIP) provides an adequate framework while giving waste generator sites the flexibility to develop site-specific programs for characterizing RH waste. We are issuing this decision after careful consideration of public comments, which came in response to our preliminary RH determination announced on this web site and in the WIPP Bulletin in December 2003.

This approval allows DOE to proceed with developing site-specific characterization plans for RH waste. However, this approval does not authorize DOE to characterize or ship RH waste to the WIPP. In order to obtain this authorization, DOE must first submit documentation specific to each of the waste generator sites to show the requirements in the WCPIP have been fully met. Each site must also be inspected and approved by EPA to evaluate whether it is adequately implementing the site-specific RH waste characterization programs.

EPA will make the site-specific waste characterization plans and inspection reports available in the WIPP dockets and on its web site. The web site and WIPP-NEWS e-mail service [link to WIPP-NEWS] will also announce opportunities for public comment on our waste characterization activities.

Please use the following links for more information on this decision:

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