This is a brief description of studies that exemplify the methods and approaches that have been developed and used by Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) researchers in conducting integrated assessments. See the complete list of Integrated Assessment Briefs to find out more about ORNL's efforts in integrated assessment. Contact Mike Farrell (farrellmp@ornl.gov) for more information.

Environmental Assessments of Waste Management Alternatives at DOE Facilities

Proposed truck routes for transport of Nuclear Fuel Services, Inc., waste and mixed-oxide fuel (MOX) waste to Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

What environmental impacts are expected from proposed and alternative plans for environmental restoration and waste management at Department of Energy facilities?

Over the past decade, DOE operations have resulted in the generation of numerous radiological, hazardous, and mixed (containing both hazardous and radioactive components) waste streams. DOE's waste management operations include the treatment, storage, transportation, and disposal of waste.

At each DOE site, a number of alternative strategies for conducting remediations must be considered to (1) comply with regulations; (2) ensure the protection of human health and the environment; and (3) evaluate potential configurations for waste management capabilities. For example, at DOE's plutonium-processing Rocky Flats Plant in Colorado, environmental assessments of alternative waste management strategies are under way. The strategies include removing plutonium-containing residues to an off-site storage facility or retaining them on-site. In another study, ORNL determined the impacts of transporting plutonium containing transuranic (TRU) waste from Erwin, Tennessee, to a temporary storage location at ORNL.

In general, the environmental impacts of various alternative transport and storage strategies do not appear to be significant. Decisions will likely be driven more by other factors such as regulations (state and federal) and cost.

U.S. Department of Energy. 1992. Receipt and storage at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, of transuranic waste, mixed transuranic waste, and mixed oxide waste from Nuclear Fuel Services, Inc.. DOE/EA-0617. Prepared by Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tenn.

Where To?

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Integrated Assessment Briefs. 1995. ORNL/M-4227. Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN.