IMPACT OF LACK OF CONSISTENT FREE RELEASE STANDARDS ON DECOMMISSIONING PROJECTS AND COSTS

摘要

While the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has had specific and dose-based standards for thernrelease of liquids and gases for a long time, there are no regulatory mechanisms in place for thernrelease of solid bulk materials from a nuclear power plant. Even though free releases of smallrnquantities of solid materials continue under existing guidelines from the operating plants, thernregulatory void creates major difficulties for the bulk materials that result from therndecommissioning of a nuclear site.rnDecommissioning of a commercial nuclear power plant generates large quantities of solid bulkrnmaterials such as concrete, metal, and demolition debris. Disposition of such materials has arnlarge impact on the overall decommissioning cost. Yet, there are no clear and cost-effectivernalternatives for the disposal of these materials from a regulatory perspective.rnThis paper discusses the methodologies for clearance of solid materials1, their applicability to therndisposition of bulk materials, and the impact of lack of consistent free release standards on therndecommissioning projects and costs.