568 



- 4 - 



The seabed disposal concept is being studied and is the only 

 alternative to mined geologic repositories currently being 

 funded by the DOE. This concept is being studied nationally 

 and internationally to determine whether it would be feasible 

 to employ deep ocean sediment as a possible future repository 

 medium. 



Before I discuss the status, plans and International activities 

 of the DOE Subseabed Disposal Program, I would like to describe 

 the subseabed disposal concept. 



Subseabed Disposal Concept 



The concept of subseabed disposal of high-level waste is that 



of geologic emplacement of containerized high-level waste in 



sedimentary clay below the ocean floor. The scientific 



feasibility of the subseabed disposal concept has not yet been 



proven. However, the concept can be briefly described as 



follows: 



Similar to the concept of mined geologic disposal, solidified 

 spent fuel or high-level wastes would be placed in shielded 

 shipping casks and transported by rail or truck to a specified 

 port facility. At the port facility, the waste package would 

 be placed in specially designed containers for burial in the 

 stable sediments below ocean floor and then placed on ocean 

 transport and emplacement ships. These ships would transport 

 the waste packages to the subseabed repository site. 



