16. 



under the rapid growth of opportunities under the Atomic Energy Act 

 of 1954 for privately- owned competitive industries to enter the field 

 of atomic energy, some real problems are being posed. It seems 

 inevitable that the industry will move toward more populated areas. 



Our discussions with representatives of industry make it evi- 

 dent that they envision building reactors and fuel processing plants 

 near their markets. When a new industry moves into a community 

 which is already well integrated and well organized, it finds that its 

 predecessors have certain established rights. The new industry 

 wants to be a good neighbor. In the field of atomic energy we have 

 to face the problem that the established regulatory agencies (which 

 could take almost any industry and its waste problems in its stride), 

 are not familiar with radiation as a contaminant, nor -with the mate- 

 rials and the technology of the industry. Obviously, if the industry 

 is to grow in a healthy way, it must be a "good neighbor," and that 

 means having harmonious relations with the rest of the community 

 and the regulatory agencies. 



The group at Johns Hopkins University and the A.E.C. staff 

 have been struggling with this waste problem for a number of years. 

 To some extent, because of our geographically isolated locations, it 

 has been possible "to sweep the problem under the rug," so to speak. 

 But those of us who are close to it are convinced that we must face up 

 to the fact that we are confronted by a real problem. I am sure that 

 when you hear the details of the situation from those who follow me on 

 today's program you also will be convinced. 



When we tried to evaluate the problem in the early phases of the 

 atomic energy program, we called upon the U.S. Geological Survey, 

 the Weather Bureau, and many other governmental agencies, and 

 many universities for assistance, but the problem of the disposal of 

 high level waste is a long way from being resolved. It is one which 

 causes deep concern because of the danger of contaminating local 

 water supply, or having an unfavorable affect on natural resources. 

 The volumes of waste are large but they are not excessive, compared 

 with other industries. The main concern is the fact that some of the 

 constituents of the wastes have long half-lives which require that the 

 waste be kept under control for many, many years. 



In addition to the consideration of safety there is also the ques- 

 tion of cost. The handling of waste in our installations is costing tens 

 of millions of dollars a year. The magnitude of this it.?m is such that 



