Disposal of High-Level Radioactive Wastes in a Proposed Geologic Repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada; Final Rule

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is publishing licensing criteria for disposal of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive wastes in the proposed geologic repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada. As mandated by law, this final rule changes the Commissions technical requirements and criteria, as necessary, to be consistent with final environmental standards for Yucca Mountain issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The criteria address how a repository system at Yucca Mountain must perform and specify that the system must comprise both natural and engineered barriers. The final rule includes licensing criteria; participation in license reviews by the State, affected units of local government, and Indian Tribes; records and reporting; monitoring and testing programs; performance confirmation; quality assurance; personnel training and certification; and emergency planning. Criteria set out in this final rule apply specifically and exclusively to the proposed repository at Yucca Mountain. Consistent with this intent, the Commission is also changing its generic criteria for disposal of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive wastes in geologic repositories. These changes make clear that the generic criteria, specified 2 elsewhere in the regulations, do not apply, nor may they be the subject of litigation, in any NRC licensing proceeding for a repository at Yucca Mountain.