1. Betsy Madru
VP Government Affairs
Update on WCS’ Plans for Consolidated Interim Storage of Used Nuclear Fuel

2. Administration Buildings and
WCS Current Facilities
Byproduct Facility
Compact Facility
Federal Facility
LSA Pad
Hazardous Waste
Landfill
Byproduct Facility
Administration Buildings and
Treatment Facility
Hazardous Waste Landfill
Treatment Facilities
Federal Facility
Compact Facility

3. Disposal and Service Capabilities
WCS provides the most comprehensive, full service, and complete Radioactive and Hazardous Waste Services in the Nation.
Commercial Waste
In- and Out-of-Compact Class A, B, and C LLRW
Federal Waste
Federal Class A, B, and C LLRW and MLLRW
Accepts LLRW up to 10% of the Class A limit in RCRA/TSCA landfill
Low Activity
3 state-of-the-art Type B Casks
2 Type A Casks
Transportation
Processing
Dewatering, Sorting, Stabilization, Repackaging, etc.
Storage
GTCC, TRU, Sealed Sources, MLLRW
WIPP Program

4. Compact Waste Facility

5. Federal Waste Facility

6. Comparison of LLW Disposal Designs

7. WCS Landfill Design Andrews, TX
Multi-layered cover system up to 45 feet thick
Depth to waste at least 25 feet below surface
9 ft. liner system on top of red bed clay which is less permeable to water than concrete and 600 feet thick
Closest measurable water 225 feet

8. Compact Disposal Facility
WCS CWF – Native Clay
Compact Disposal Facility

9. CWF During Construction

10. (Previous Industry Standard for Class A)
Clive, UT Site
(Previous Industry Standard for Class A)
Class A waste disposed in lifts, and down blended Class B waste disposed in non-reinforced concrete culverts and covered in sand

11. Barnwell Facility (Previous Industry Standard for Class B/C)

12. WCS Compact Facility (New Industry Standard)

13. CIS – Project Scope
Environmental impacts will be analyzed with storage of 40,000 MTHM for 40 years
8 separate phases; storage of up to 5,000 MTHM in each phase
Initial SAR will include selected AREVA NUHOMS® and NAC International storage systems which will prioritize shutdown sites
Additional systems and sites to be added in future License Amendments
Storage of used fuel from over 10 shutdown/decommissioned nuclear power plants will fit in Phase 1
Allows flexibility to transition beyond storage of fuel from currently decommissioned reactors
License for 40 years with multiple renewals of up to 20 years each
Ongoing discussions with DOE and the U.S. Congress on how to integrate the availability of an interim storage facility into the national strategy for used nuclear fuel management

14. Timeline February 2015 – filed the notice of intent
Currently – meetings with interested parties and legislative members
April 2016 – file license application
June 2019 – NRC issues license
Assumes a three year review period
September 2019 – Construction begins
December 2020 – Operations begin

15. License Application
WCS has the lead role in preparing the license application, with support from AREVA and NAC
License application for Private Fuel Storage (PFS) that was approved by the NRC provides a template
A Safety Analysis Report for the DOE following the NRC Standard Review Plan (NUREG-1567) for a generic CISF has already been prepared by AREVA
SAR will be prepared for selected AREVA NUHOMS® and NAC systems
To ensure lowest cost/risk/schedule duration in the licensing process, the initial SAR will only include systems that:
Are currently licensed and in service
Are deployed or will be deployed at shutdown reactor sites
Additional systems to be added in future license amendments

16. Initial License Application
Priority on currently licensed systems for shutdown sites:
NAC International
Maine Yankee
Connecticut Yankee
Yankee Rowe
La Crosse
Zion
AREVA NUHOMS®
Rancho Seco
SONGS Unit 1
Millstone Unit 1
Oyster Creek* (S/D scheduled 2019)
Indicates a “stranded” (ISFSI only) site identified in the 2012 Final Report of the “Blue Ribbon Commission on America’s Nuclear Future” (BRC)
* Fuel Burned less than 45 GWd/MTU
Initial License Application will cover ~80% of UNF and GTCC at BRC “Stranded” Site

17. Consolidated Interim Storage: Industry Benefits
Availability of a permanent geological repository is projected to take decades and faces significant local and state acceptance challenges
Availability of consolidated storage facility offers flexibility for DOE to take title to and efficiently manage UNF
Successful demonstration of transportation, licensing, and public consent processes will increase public confidence in the nuclear industry
Public is concerned over “stranded” UNF at decommissioned sites
Polls show the unresolved UNF management issue remains a vulnerability for the nuclear industry
CIS acts a “surge capacity” within the U.S. UNF management system; enables more efficient and effective UNF management in the near-term and will allow DOE to meet its obligations to take title to and remove fuel from shutdown and operating reactor sites while the decades long process of developing a repository works itself out.
WCS CISF Project Provides a Way Forward to Deliver a Near-Term, Economically Viable Option for Consolidated Interim Used Fuel Management while a Permanent Disposal Solution Continues to be Developed

18. Proposed CISF Site Overview18

19. Aerial Photo of LLRW Facilities
Expansion of an Existing Radioactive Waste Facility – Not a “Greenfield” Site
Aerial Photo of LLRW Facilities
Site includes ~14,000 acres (~23 square miles)
Includes Compact LLW, Federal LLW, and RCRA Landfills and Storage and Processing Facility for LLW
Licensed by Texas as an Agreement State
Rail access, irradiated hardware, large components, and large scale D&D project services currently provided

20. Location of CISF
CISF will occupy ~320 acres or only 2.3% of the 14,000 acre site 20

21. Pad Layout for CISF

22. View of Deployed Systems for Phase 1 Pad

23. WCS has Proven Programs and Infrastructure for Managing Radioactive Materials
WCS currently operates the most robust LLW disposal facility in the U.S.
LLW is put into Modular Concrete Canisters, grouted and then placed into the landfill
Operations include irradiated hardware with receipts as high as 20,000 rem/hr on contact, but a collective dose of only 50 mrem for disposal
Radiation safety, environmental monitoring, security and other functions are ongoing

24. Compact Waste Facility

25. Thorough Environmental Characterization
Environmental Impacts have been extensively analyzed in the region
NRC prepared an EIS for URENCO USA
TCEQ conducted ER supporting issuance of LLW and Storage licenses
WCS approach allows addition of new storage systems as amendments, but ensures cumulative environmental impacts are analyzed

26. Strong Local and State Support
WCS initiated discussions with Andrews County, Texas for support to site the CISF
WCS underscored it would proceed only with the support of the local community
Andrews County resolution endorsing the project passed unanimously on January 20, 2015
Texas Radiation Advisory Board issued a Sept position paper strongly recommending Texas position to itself to host the first CISF in the U.S.
Enthusiastic support from Texas’ U.S. House and Senate delegation and the Governor’s office
PFS showed that broad consent (i.e., state level and not just local level support) is critical for project success

27. Blue Ribbon Solution
The Blue Ribbon Commission’s report in 2012 recommended a consent-based CISF
Allows the federal government (DOE) to take title to UNF and remove it from nuclear power plants (“stranded” fuel at shut-down plants should be a priority)
WCS proposed CISF is an “outside the beltway” idea that requires no federal funding to start

28. Drives Progress Toward a Permanent Repository Solution
The WCS CISF does not compete against a permanent repository
Over 70,000 MTHM generated to date
WCS CISF only licensing 40,000 MTHM
Still need a permanent solution for the industry
Allows transportation system to be developed and demonstrated
Easier to prepare fuel for final repository disposal at an active CISF instead of at a shutdown reactor site
CIS is a Complement to rather than a Competitor against Permanent Geological Disposal

29. WCS Offers Most Realistic and Cost-Effective Solution
Straightforward approach of only including already licensed and deployed systems in the initial License Application greatly reduces cost & risk of licensing
Expansion of an existing radioactive waste facility (vs. a “greenfield” site) greatly reduces cost & risk of licensing, development and construction
Consolidation of multiple “stranded” ISFSIs into one CISF will save licensing, aging management, and security costs and allow for re-use of decommissioned reactor sites
Federal expenditures for transportation and storage will result in progress instead of just studies
Opportunity to reduce taxpayer liabilities and payments owed from DOE’s partial breach of contracts with UNF title-holders

30. What Does WCS Need?
Legislation enabling the DOE to take title to UNF and utilize portions of the Nuclear Waste Fund to pay for interim storage services
WCS is willing to start the licensing process with no federal funding, but will need certainty of funding for construction and operation
Industry support for development of interim storage capability and supporting transportation infrastructure
Engage in development of supportive industry policy positions (NEI)
Engage Congressional stakeholders to advance meaningful UNF management policy and enable opportunities for private storage solutions
DOE initiative on transportation of used fuel required to facilitate storage commencing in December 2020

31. Summary
WCS project is consistent with the BRC’s recommendations regarding need for consolidated interim storage and consent-based licensing
WCS, AREVA, and NAC have the qualifications and capabilities to license, construct, and operate the facility
License Application to be submitted by April 2016 will cover ~80% of UNF and GTCC at BRC “Stranded” Sites
Site is environmentally well-characterized, enjoys broad local, state level and congressional support, and already has robust infrastructure that supports operating LLW facilities
A complement to and not a competitor against a permanent geological repository
See the website for updates