Office of Environmental Management integrated radioactive waste disposal planning and optimization

(a) Radioactive waste disposal optimization analyses (1) In general Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Energy shall develop a complex-wide analysis to identify optimal disposal pathways and schedules for defense radioactive waste produced by the Department of Energy and its predecessor agencies and managed by the Office of Environmental Management. (2) Contents The analysis required by paragraph (1) shall— (A) incorporate modeling to identify optimal disposal pathways and schedules that could be achieved— (i) considering regulatory constraints; and (ii) if key regulatory constraints were lifted or altered; and (B) identify strategic alternatives to radioactive waste disposal plans and schedules. (b) Nationwide radioactive waste disposal plan (1) In general Not later than 15 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Energy shall develop an integrated, nationwide radioactive waste disposal plan. (2) Contents The plan required by paragraph (1) shall— (A) include, to the maximum extent practicable, optimal radioactive waste disposal pathways and schedules identified through the analysis conducted pursuant to subsection (a); (B) identify specific opportunities for further optimization of radioactive waste disposal pathways and schedules that might be achieved through changes in regulatory constraints; (C) address complex-wide disposal issues, such as waste with no disposal pathway; and (D) incorporate feedback from key stakeholders, including Federal and State regulators and operators of radioactive waste disposal facilities. (c) Radioactive waste disposal forum (1) In general Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Energy shall establish a forum for Federal and State agencies that regulate radioactive waste cleanup and disposal activities by the Office of Environmental Management. (2) Purpose The forum established pursuant to paragraph (1) shall holistically negotiate regulatory and other changes that could allow the Department of Energy to implement opportunities for optimal radioactive waste disposal identified pursuant to subsection (b). (d) Reporting Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Energy shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the results of the optimization analysis required by subsection (a), the nationwide disposal plan required by subsection (b), and the initial activities of the forum established pursuant to subsection (c). (e) Definitions In this section: (1) Complex The term complex means the set of sites across the United States where radioactive waste cleanup and disposal activities are managed by the Office of Environmental Management. (2) Integrated The term integrated means inclusive of all radioactive waste across the complex. (3) Optimal The term optimal means the best possible outcome, such as the lowest cost or highest profit, while following specific rules and limitations. (4) Regulatory constraints The term regulatory constraints means requirements included in regulations or agreements with regulators that affect decisions regarding radioactive waste disposal pathways and schedules by the Office of Environmental Management that could reasonably be the subject of negotiation with Federal or State regulatory agencies.

(a) Radioactive waste disposal optimization analyses (1) In general Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Energy shall develop a complex-wide analysis to identify optimal disposal pathways and schedules for defense radioactive waste produced by the Department of Energy and its predecessor agencies and managed by the Office of Environmental Management. (2) Contents The analysis required by paragraph (1) shall— (A) incorporate modeling to identify optimal disposal pathways and schedules that could be achieved— (i) considering regulatory constraints; and (ii) if key regulatory constraints were lifted or altered; and (B) identify strategic alternatives to radioactive waste disposal plans and schedules. (b) Nationwide radioactive waste disposal plan (1) In general Not later than 15 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Energy shall develop an integrated, nationwide radioactive waste disposal plan. (2) Contents The plan required by paragraph (1) shall— (A) include, to the maximum extent practicable, optimal radioactive waste disposal pathways and schedules identified through the analysis conducted pursuant to subsection (a); (B) identify specific opportunities for further optimization of radioactive waste disposal pathways and schedules that might be achieved through changes in regulatory constraints; (C) address complex-wide disposal issues, such as waste with no disposal pathway; and (D) incorporate feedback from key stakeholders, including Federal and State regulators and operators of radioactive waste disposal facilities. (c) Radioactive waste disposal forum (1) In general Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Energy shall establish a forum for Federal and State agencies that regulate radioactive waste cleanup and disposal activities by the Office of Environmental Management. (2) Purpose The forum established pursuant to paragraph (1) shall holistically negotiate regulatory and other changes that could allow the Department of Energy to implement opportunities for optimal radioactive waste disposal identified pursuant to subsection (b). (d) Reporting Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Energy shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the results of the optimization analysis required by subsection (a), the nationwide disposal plan required by subsection (b), and the initial activities of the forum established pursuant to subsection (c). (e) Definitions In this section: (1) Complex The term complex means the set of sites across the United States where radioactive waste cleanup and disposal activities are managed by the Office of Environmental Management. (2) Integrated The term integrated means inclusive of all radioactive waste across the complex. (3) Optimal The term optimal means the best possible outcome, such as the lowest cost or highest profit, while following specific rules and limitations. (4) Regulatory constraints The term regulatory constraints means requirements included in regulations or agreements with regulators that affect decisions regarding radioactive waste disposal pathways and schedules by the Office of Environmental Management that could reasonably be the subject of negotiation with Federal or State regulatory agencies.