The Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 (Generic Letter No. 83-07)

                               UNITED STATES 
                       NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION 
                          WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555 

                              February 16, 1983

TO ALL POWER AND NON-POWER REACTOR LICENSEES, APPLICANTS FOR AN OPERATING 
LICENSE AND HOLDERS OF CONSTRUCTION PERMITS 

Gentlemen: 

SUBJECT:  THE NUCLEAR WASTE POLICY ACT OF 1982 (Generic Letter No. 83-07) 

On January 7, 1983, the Nuclear Waste Policy Act was enacted. The purpose of
this letter is to ensure that you are aware of a provision of the Act 
(Section 302(b)) (copy enclosed) that requires licensed owners or generators
of spent nuclear fuel or high-level waste to have a contract with the 
Secretary of Energy, by June 30, 1983, for the disposal of such waste. 

This mandate applies to all facilities licensed under Sections 103 and 104 
of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954. If a facility is to be licensed or have 
its license renewed before June 30, 1983, licensing is contingent on the 
existence of either a contract with the Secretary or a written affirmation 
by the Secretary that the owner/generator is actively and in good faith 
negotiating with the Secretary. For facilities to be licensed or have a 
license renewed after June 30, 1983, licensing is contingent on the 
existence of a contract. 

On February 4, 1983, the Department of Energy (DOE) issued a draft contract 
in the Federal Register (48 FR 5458). If you have any questions regarding 
the contracts, please contact Mr. Robert M. Roselli of DOE (301-353-4808). 

                              Sincerely,  


                              Darrell G. Eisenhut, Director 
                              Division  of Licensing 
                              Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation 

Enclosure: 
As stated 




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