The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or the Agency) is announcing the availability of, and soliciting public comments for 45 days on, the proposed approval of the radioactive remote-handled (RH) transuranic (TRU) waste characterization program implemented by the Central Characterization Project (CCP) at Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory (BAPL) in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania. This waste is intended for disposal at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) in New Mexico. In accordance with the WIPP Compliance Criteria, EPA evaluated the characterization of RH TRU debris waste from BAPL-CCP during a series of four inspections, most recently conducted on April 12-13, 2011. By evaluating the waste characterization systems and processes for RH waste that the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) Carlsbad Field Office (CBFO) program developed, EPA verified whether DOE could adequately characterize RH TRU debris waste, consistent with the Compliance Criteria. The results of EPA's evaluation of BAPL-CCP's RH TRU waste characterization program and its proposed approval are described in the Agency's inspection report, which is available for review in the public dockets listed in ADDRESSES. We will consider public comments received on or before the due date mentioned in DATES. This notice summarizes the waste characterization processes evaluated by EPA and EPA's proposed approval. As required by 40 CFR 194.8, at the end of a 45-day comment period EPA will evaluate public comments received, and if appropriate, finalize the reports responding to the relevant public comments and issue a final report and approval letter to DOE.
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