NRC NEWS

 U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION 

 Office of Public Affairs Telephone: 301/415-8200

 Washington, DC 20555-001 E-mail: opa@nrc.gov 

 Web Site: http://www.nrc.gov/OPA

No. 01-128 November 14, 2001

NRC ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON NUCLEAR WASTE

 TO MEET NOVEMBER 27 - 29 IN ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND

The Nuclear Regulatory Commissionís Advisory Committee on Nuclear Waste (ACNW) has

scheduled a meeting on November 27-29 in Rockville, Maryland, to discuss, among other issues,

performance confirmation plans for the proposed nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada,

and nuclear research needed for future regulatory decisions.

The meeting, which is open to the public, will be held in Room T-2B3 of the agencyís Two

White Flint North building, at 11545 Rockville Pike. It will begin at 8:30 a.m. each day. 

A complete agenda is attached.

For additional information or schedule changes, contact Howard Larson at 301-415-6805. 

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ACNW AGENDA

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2001, CONFERENCE ROOM 2B3, TWO WHITE FLINT NORTH,

Rockville, Maryland

8:30 - 8:40 A.M. Opening Statement (Open) 

The Chairman will open the meeting with brief remarks, outline topics to be

discussed, and indicate several items of interest.

8:40 - 9:30 A.M. ACNW Planning and Procedures (Open) 

The Committee will discuss the items noted below.

--Commitments from the ACNW 129th meeting

--Issues for the 130th ACNW meeting

--Topics for January 2002 and beyond

--EDO responses to Committee reports

--EDOís list of future meeting topics

--ACNW Calendar for 2002

--DOE/BSC Meeting Status 

9:30 - 9:45 A.M. ***BREAK***

WORKSHOP ON RESEARCH NEEDS

9:45 - 10:00 A.M. Introductory Comments, Statement of Objectives and

Overview (Open) 

10:00 - 10:45 A.M. Technical Issues Associated with Future Regulatory Decisions (Open)

Panelists will discuss forthcoming regulatory issues and the additional work

required from their perspective to provide the information needed for future

regulatory decisions.

10:45 - 12:00 Noon Knowledge and Technical Tools Needed for Future Regulatory Decisions

(Open) 

Presentations will be provided on the knowledge and technical tools needed

for future regulatory decisions, focusing on radionuclide transport and source

term. A panel discussion will formally conclude this session and audience

participation will be invited.

12:00 - 1:00 P.M. ***LUNCH***

1:00 - 4:30 P.M. Knowledge and Technical Tools Needed for Future

(3:00 - 3:15 P.M BREAK) Regulatory Decisions (Open) - Continued

4:30 - 5:15 P.M. Performance Confirmation for the Proposed High Level

Waste Repository at Yucca Mountain, NV (Open) 

The Committee will receive an information briefing on the NRC staffís

performance confirmation plans for Yucca Mountain, NV.
5:15 - 5:30 P.M. ***BREAK***

5:30 - 6:00 P.M. Preparation of ACNW Reports (Open)

The Committee will discuss proposed reports on the following topics:

-- Yucca Mountain Performance Confirmation 

-- ACRS/ACNW November 14, 2001 Joint Subcommittee Meeting on Risk-

 Informed Regulation in NMSS

-- GTCC Waste and Sealed Source Issue (tentative) 

-- Conservatism (tentative) 

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28 - WORKSHOP ON RESEARCH NEEDS RECONVENES

8:30 - 8:35 A.M. Opening Statement (Open) 

The Chairman will make opening remarks regarding the conduct of todayís

sessions.

8:35 - 9:00 A.M. Summary of Discussions from the First Day of the Working Group (Open)

Members, with input from workshop participants, will summarize key

observations from first day presentations/ discussions.

9:00 - 12:15 P.M. Knowledge and Technical Tools Needed for Future

(10:15 - 10:30 BREAK) Regulatory Decisions - What Research is Needed (Open)

Presentations will be provided by experts in selected areas as to how

research can be used to develop the needed knowledge and technical tools.

12:15 - 1:15 P.M. ***LUNCH***

1:15 - 4:30 P.M. Prioritization of NRC-Sponsored Research - How Should It Be Done (Open)

(3:15 - 3:30 BREAK) Panelists will present their perspectives as to how to address what research

projects are necessary and will add the most value to the relevant regulatory

decisions.

4:30 - 5:30 P.M. Workshop Summary and General Discussion (Open)

Discussion among Members and meeting participants as to workshop

findings and a summarization of key observations resulting from this two

day workshop.

5:30 - 5:45 P.M. ***BREAK***

5:45 - 6:00 P.M. Preparation for Meeting with the NRC Commissioners (Open)

The next meeting with the Commissioners is scheduled to to held in the

Commission Conference Room at 9:30 a.m. in One White Flint North on

January 9, 2002. The Committee will review its proposed presentations.

--Sufficiency Review 

--TSPA-SR

--Research Program in Radioactive Waste Chemistry Issues 

--Risk-Informed Performance-Based Regulation of Waste 
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29

8:30 - 8:35 A.M. Opening Statement (Open) 

The Chairman will make remarks regarding the conduct of todayís sessions.

8:35 - 11:45 A.M. Supplemental Science and Performance Analysis (SSPA) (Open) 

(10:30 - 10:45 BREAK) The Committee will receive input on the SSPA from representatives from

the NRC, Clark County, NV, and DOE.

11:45 - 12:45 P.M. ***LUNCH***

12:45 - 3:30 P.M. Preparation of ACNW Reports (Open)

The Committee will continue its discussion of proposed reports on the

following topics:

--Commission Briefing Viewgraphs 

--Annual Research Report to Commission 

--Yucca Mountain Performance Confirmation 

--ACRS/ACNW November 14, 2001 Joint Subcommittee Meeting on Risk-

 Informed Regulation in NMSS 

--GTCC Waste and Sealed Source Issues (tentative)

--Conservatism (tentative)

3:30 - 4:00 P.M. Miscellaneous (Open)

The Committee will discuss matters related to the conduct of 

Committee activities and matters and specific issues that were not completed

during previous meetings, as time and availability of information permit.

4:00 P.M. Adjourn

NOTE:

Presentation time should not exceed 50 percent of the total time allocated for a specific item. The

remaining 50 percent of the time is reserved for discussion. 35 copies of presentation materials should be

provided to ACNW. For changes, contact Mr. Howard Larson at 301-415-6805.