Last week the Department of Energy published in the Federal Register a Notice of Intent to prepare a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement on the disposition of scrap metals across its complex.
The goal of the PEIS is to address policy options for managing the metals at radioactive locations at DOE sites, as well as any other scrap metals at DOE sites that might have some potential for residual surface radioactivity.
The Notice of Intent proposes four disposition alternatives to be evaluated:
(1) continuation of an existing suspension on the release of scrap metals from DOE radiological areas for unrestricted use in recycling (No Action Alternative); (2) release of scrap metals for recycling under existing DOE requirements; (3) release of scrap metals for recycling under alternative requirements; and (4) no release for recycling of scrap metals with any potential for residual surface radioactivity.
Mike Mattia, director of risk management for ISRI, stresses that what ISRI is looking for is a need for the DOE to understand the concerns scrap processors have. Instead of telling scrap recyclers what is best for them, government agencies such as the DOE should listen to what scrap recyclers can and can't handle.
"You have to sit down with stakeholders. Let them tell you what the industry can and can't do," Mattia says.
The department will conduct public scoping meetings to assist in defining the appropriate scope of the PEIS during July and August 2001. The meetings are expected to be held in North Augusta, S.C.; Oak Ridge, Tenn.; Oakland, Calif.; Richland, Wash.; Cincinnati, Ohio; and Arlington, Va.
According to Mattia, ISRI will approach the public meetings to take notes, offer opinions and learn more about what the agency hopes to accomplish. After listening ISRI hopes to formulate an official position during the comment period.