WIPP News:The Carlsbad Field Office (CBFO) issued the revised Waste Acceptance Criteria (WAC) June 27 for the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) to transuranic (TRU) waste generator site programs across the DOE complex.
Changes in WAC criteria for WIPP are being made in response to findings of the Accident Investigation Board’s report on the radiological release at WIPP in February 2014.
The WAC Revision 8 goes into effect on July 5 and TRU waste generator site programs will temporarily suspend certification of TRU waste, pending a determination that they comply with the revised WIPP WAC. DOE is also implementing Environmental Protection Agency standards for hazardous waste determination to evaluate and identify appropriate treatment for waste containing oxidizers.
This new WAC also requires that TRU waste generator sites and WIPP-certified programs will undergo a Generator Site Technical Review and Quality Assurance audit. This audit will ensure that waste packaging, treatment and certification activities are performed under adequate controls and that waste is accurately determined and documented before certification and subsequent shipment to WIPP.
All previously certified waste containers not currently disposed at WIPP will need to be validated to ensure the revised requirements are met prior to shipment to WIPP. Some wastes may need to be treated and repackaged prior to shipment to WIPP but it will take the Department several months to determine which, if any, wastes may be impacted.
There are currently approximately 1000 drums across the country that meet this new standard. Although some waste may need to be retreated and repackaged, we do not anticipate that this will affect the reopening of WIPP.
Next WIPP Town Hall Meeting – August 4
The City of Carlsbad and DOE co-host Town Hall meetings to provide updates on WIPP recovery and restart activities. The next meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m., Thursday, August 4 at Carlsbad City Council Chambers, 101 N. Halagueno Street. WIPP Town Hall Meetings are live streamed here.
