Shite law aho charges DER with making sure low-level radical live wastes are managed in a wav that protects public health
and the environment. Pennsylvania's regulations, developed with extensive public input, contain some of the most stringent
and unique requirements in the country. The regulations specify an open site selection process, engineered barneis, extensive
environmental monitoring, and local control of operations.
A statewide screening process is underway to identify potentially suitable sites. To date, approximately 75% of the state has
been eliminated from furthei consideration as a potential site for the low-level radioactive waste disposal facility. In early
1995, three potentially suitable sites for the low-level radioactive waste disposal facility will be recommended for further
study
DER recognizes that the siting of a disposal facility may raise concerns among the residents of the potential host community.
This hiochuie is being distributed statewide to provide basic information on what low-level radioactive waste is and how the
disposal fac tins will he sited, designed, operated, and regulated to ensure the safe management of low-level radioactive wastes.
I urge sou to learn more about the program fen safe low -level radioactive waste management We believe that the best
location for this facility is a site that meets stringent technical requirements within a community that i.s familiar with the
facility's operation and commitment to long-tenn safets. Please work with us to make that happen.
MEET THE PARTICIPANTS
Left to right Man Tenan, Executive Director of the Appalachian States Low-Level Radioac
tive Waste Commission, William Dornsife, Director of DER's Bateau of Radiation Protection,
Charlotte Glcmser. Former Chair* of DER's Low-Level Waste Advisors Committee; Michael
Murphv, head of DER's low-level waste regulatory unit; Catherine Cowan, DER’s Deputy
Secretary for Air and Waste Management, Steve Jones, DER's low-level waste section chief
* Mi Leonard Hess was elected Chair of DER's Low-Level Waste Advisory
Committee on January 24, 1994
A Message From Secretary Davis
Federal law makes each state responsible for the disposal of low-level radioactive wastes
generated within its borders. To fulfill this responsibility, state law directs the Pennsylva
nia Department of Environmental Resources (DER) to see that a new disposal facility is
built. Accordingly, DER has hired a private company (Chem-Nucleat Systems, Inc.) to
site, develop, and operate one low-level radioactive waste disposal facility in the Common
wealth, which will operate for 30 years. DER oversees and regulates all of Cheni-
Nuclear’s activities.
Sincerely, . 1T
ARTHUR A. DAVIS
Secretary, Department of Environmental Resources
It takes a strong, capable team to safely manage low-level radioactive waste. Key to the team are members of t
Department of Environmental Resources’ (DER) Low-Level Radioactive Waste Regulatory Program. St
law directs DER to oversee, license, and regulate the private disposal facility operator. DER regulatory tea
members health physicists, engineers, geologists must be satisfied that the facility will be sate before ;
operating license is issued. Chem-Nuclear Systems, Inc. (Chem-Nuclear), the pnvate firm that is developing tl
low-level waste disposal facility, must obtain a license from DER before building and operating the facility
The Environmental Quality Board maintains an independent evaluation role and must formally appro\
potentially suitable disposal facility sites proposed by Chem-Nuclear before the firm can proceed to study the
in detail. The board has 21 members, including citizens, representatives of the General Assembly, an
representatives of 12 Commonwealth agencies. The board will hold public meetings and public hearings t
obtain public comments before reaching a decision on the potential disposal sites.
±
Additional citizen involvement in the DER program is ensured through the active participation of the 21
member DER Low-Level Waste Advisory Committee. Representing government, industry, and civic am
special interest groups, the committee has helped DER to develop strong regulations, evaluate and scles
Chem-Nuclear, and oversee Chem-Nuclear’s work.
Pennsylvania is the host state for the disposal facility to meet the disposal needs of tour states. Maryland, Delaware
and West Virgimajom Pennsylvania in the Appalachian States Compact. By far the largest generator ol low-lcve
waste in the group, Pennsylvania must host the first disposal facility. Because of its lead role, Pennsylvania chair
the Appalachian States Low-Level Radioactive Waste Commission and it has two extra commission members
Once a site is selected, a host municipality representative will be appointed to the Commission by the Governor
"Pennsylvania has the toughest law and regulations in the United States, due
principally to active public participation."
- Leonard Hess, Chair, DER Low-Level Waste Advisory Committee
jk
fWqNdto
Pennsylvania km of the largest generators of
law-few! radioactive waste in the country.
Currently, at of Pennsylvania's low-level waste
goes tom facility in South Carolina.
Pennsylvania will develop m new disposal facility
to safely manage this waste. *
mil I—Ham
Source: VS. Dm
irtment oi
1993.
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