1. Analysis of Low Activity Waste Streams and Volumes in Decommissioning NPPs 
Lisa Edwards Sr. Program Manager, EPRI
LLW Forum April 13-14, 2016

2. Overview
Decommissioning of a nuclear power plant involves the safe disposition of a very large quantity of radioactive, hazardous and conventional waste
These projects have used various waste disposal and interim storage options, and have developed successful methods for handling the large quantities of decommissioning waste
These experiences provide important lessons learned and successful strategies that can reduce decommissioning cost, schedule and complexity
EPRI has captured these lessons learned in a recently published report Review of Waste Management Best Practices during Nuclear Plant Decommissioning,

3. D S I T US Power Reactors Decommissioning Status Four Sites
Twelve Sites
Seven Sites
Three Sites
Source: US NRC Website 3

4. Global Outlook for Decommissioning
To date, about 100 commercial power plants have shutdown worldwide and only 13 have completed decommissioning
An estimated 100 or more plants will shut down in the next 10 years
Active dismantlement activities currently underway at nearly 50 plants

5. Recent Shutdown/Planned for Shutdown US Plants
Unplanned Reactor Shutdowns
Crystal River Unit 3 - Crystal River, Florida (February 2013)
Kewaunee Power Station - Kewaunee Wisconsin (May 2013)
San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station, Units 2 & 3 - San Clemente, California (June 2013)
Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station - Vernon, Vermont (December 2014)
Reactors that Plan Early Shutdown
Fitzpatrick Nuclear Station - Oswego, New York (Announced Shutdown for 2017)
Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station - Forked River, New Jersey (Announced Shutdown for 2019)
Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station - Plymouth, MA (Announced Shutdown for 2019)
What are the Economic Drivers Leading to Pre-mature Plant Closures?
Low Cost Gas
Subsidized Renewable Energy Sources (Wind, Solar)
Deregulated Markets Pressures
Power Grid Restrictions
Undervalued Carbon Effects
Plant Capital Improvements

6. Waste Volumes for US Decommissioning Projects
Waste Class
Plant Name
Connecticut Yankee ft3
Maine Yankee ft3
Rancho Seco ft3
San Onofre Unit 1 ft3
Trojan ft3
Class A
3,754,572
3,224,000
608,713
1,680,558
Not Available
Class B/C
10,354
20,000
3,284
1,050
> Class C (GTCC)
Not Available
378 96
Total
3,764,926
3,244,000
612,375
1,681,704
275,000
Decom- missioning Strategy
Little Decon- tamination of Buildings & Equipment
Little Decon- tamination of Buildings & Equipment
Buildings Decon- taminated, Little Decon of Equipment
Large Difference in Volumes between Plants that Decontaminated Buildings Compared to those that Disposed of All RCA Buildings As Radioactive Waste

7. What Makes Up Decommissioning LLW?
Radioactive Waste Material
Volume for Connecticut Yankee ft3
Percent of Total Volume
Waste Class
Primary Types of Materials
Primary Components & High Dose Waste
10,354
0.3%
B & C
Segmented Reactor Internals, Chemical Decontamination Resins
Building Debris
3,166,000
84% A
Concrete and Rebar
Soil
492,000
13.1%
Mostly for Groundwater Remediation
Dredging Spoils
84,671
2.25%
Mostly to Allow Barge Shipment of Reactor Vessel
Asphalt
10,014
RCA Asphalt
Mixed Waste
1,887
0.05%
PCB Paint Contamination
Total
3,764,926
100%
Most of the Class A Waste would quality as BSFR or Exemption Under

8. Global Radioactive Waste Disposal Facilities
The majority of nations employ a waste classification program that is based in whole or part, on the IAEA system with a few using a U. S. based classification approach
Most countries have access to a disposal site for low and intermediate level waste and some include an option for very low level waste (VLLW)
VLLW trench and waste emplacement at ANDRA’s Morvilliers facility in France

9. Projected Volumes of Radwaste through the Current Licensed Life of US Power Plants
69% of this waste is from decommissioning
Graph conservatively assumes that only 2/3 of Class A decommissioning waste would qualify as VLLW
Estimated Cumulative Savings from new VLLW Classification - $6 Billion

10. Selected EPRI Reports Related to Decommissioning Waste Management
Decommissioning Low Level Waste Management and Reduction Guide, EPRI, Palo Alto, CA TR
Decommissioning Waste Management Workshop Proceedings, EPRI, Palo Alto, CA
Remediation Technology: Hazardous Waste Workshop Proceedings, EPRI, Palo Alto, CA TR
Basis for National and International Low Activity and Very Low Level Waste Disposal Classifications, EPRI, Palo Alto, CA
Concrete Characterization and Dose Modeling During Plant Decommissioning, Detailed Experiences 1993 – 2007, EPRI, Palo Alto, CA
Proceeding: The 10th International Decommissioning and Radioactive Waste Management Workshop, EPRI, Palo Alto, CA