Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Permit
Permit History:
In March 1995, NDEP issued a Part B Permit to the Department of Energy, Nevada Operations Office for a Hazardous Waste Storage Unit (HWSU) and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit (EODU). The permit was subsequently renewed in 2000, 2005 and 2010. In 2010 NDEP issued a new permit for a Subtitle C landfill herein referred to as the Mixed Waste Disposal Unit (MWDU) and Mixed Waste Storage Unit (MWSU). In 2011 the MWSU, MWDU, HWSU and EODU were consolidated into permit NEV HW0101. In 2015 NDEP issued a permit renewal for permit NEV HW0101. In 2023 NDEP issued a permit renewal for permit NEV HW0101, EODU was changed and herein referred to as Explosives Management Unit (EMU)
Facility Description:
The MWDU, MWSU and HWSU are located in the remote southeastern portion of the NNSS, within the Area 5 Radioactive Waste Management Complex (RWMC). The RWMC includes the Area 5 Radioactive Waste Management Site (RWMS) which is an active disposal site for low level waste. The EODU is located in a remote portion of Area 11 within the NNSS.
- Mixed Waste Disposal Unit – Consists of two active Subtitle C landfills (Cell 18 and Cell 25). Cell 18 has a design capacity of 33,000 m3 (1,165,384ft3) and Cell 25 has a design capacity of 37,000 m3 (1,306,642 ft3). The MWDU landfill receives and disposes of containerized mixed low-level waste (MLLW), polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) and asbestos waste.
- Mixed Waste Disposal Unit - Consists of one Transuranic (TRU) Pad Cover Building and TRU Pad, with a maximum storage volume of 17,690 m3 (624,716 ft3); one Sprung Instant Structure Building, with a maximum storage volume of 365 m3 (12,890 ft3); one Visual Examination and Repackaging Building, with a maximum storage volume of 240 m3 (8,476 ft3); and one Drum Holding Pad (DHP), with a maximum storage volume of 131 m3 (4,626 ft3). The MWSU accepts containerized PCB waste, containerized friable and non-friable asbestos waste and containerized MLLW for storage until disposal at the MWDU.
- Hazardous Waste Storage Unit - Consists of a prefabricated, rigid steel-framed roofed shelter used to store hazardous, nonradioactive waste generated on the NNSS.
- Explosives Management Unit - Consists of one detonation pit surrounded by an earthen pad, approximately 20 meters (65 feet) by 31 meters (100 feet). The EMU is permitted to open detonate the following waste explosives: commercially manufactured explosives (capable of detonation as described in 40 CFR 265.382), blasting caps, black powder, and smoke pots (hexachloromethane) that have been generated on the NNSS
Permit and Permit Documents: