Policy development from the industry perspective.

The responsibility and burden for implementation of any option for the disposition of low-activity radioactive waste will primarily reside with the industries that generate the waste and those that provide the necessary waste management and disposal services. Unfortunately, there is no general consensus among these industries on the multiple policy issues that are critical to the application of an effective management and disposal program. This paper discusses the various policy issues that affect these industries and the problems that will likely occur during the course of their activities. These policy issues include public and political concern, opposition, and reaction; multiple and sometimes conflicting government agency jurisdiction, regulation, and policy; issues relating to the transition to a new comprehensive system; conflicts between the interests of the various industry groups; and operational, radiation safety, and regulatory implementation issues. For these reasons, the acceptable options may be limited. Case studies of various waste streams are included to show the specific impact and problems that these issues can create.