August 4, 2006

Management Controls over Cesium and Strontium Capsule Disposition at the Hanford Site

Richland Operations Office's (Richland) preferred approach of Options direct disposal of cesium and strontium capsules in the Yucca Mountain Repository may not be the most feasible or economic approach for disposal. Specifically, the feasibility of the direct disposal approach faces significant regulatory and programmatic risks which vitrification of the capsules' contents does not face. Also, the cost of alternative vitrification approaches may approximate the cost of direct disposal.