Nuclear Energy's Dilemma

There is general agreement among nuclear power critics, the public, business leaders, and Government officials that a solution to the nuclear waste disposal problem is critical to the continued growth of nuclear energy. The Congress should amend the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 to provide for independent assessments of the Energy Research and Development Administration's (ERDA's) facilities--including research and development facilities--intended for the temporary storage and/or long-term storage or disposal of commercial and ERDA produced transuranic contaminated waste, the temporary storage of ERDA high level waste, and the temporary storage and/or long-term storage or disposal of commercial spent fuel. To provide such an independent assessment, the Congress should adopt one of three alternatives: (1) give the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) the authority and responsibility for establishing policies, standards, and requirements in cooperation with ERDA for carrying out these assessments; (2) retain this responsibility and authority within ERDA, subject to certain statutory provisions, to insulate the oversight activities; (3) or authorize NRC to assess periodically ERDA's facilities and annually report the results to the agency and the Congress.