17. 



it could be a serious deterrent to the development of a competitive 

 industry, therefore, it merits a good deal of attention. In effect, in 

 A.E.C. we feel it is our responsibility to find economical solutions 

 before we can expect an industry to be developed, and to do so, we 

 know we need a lot of help. 



The problem has really two major categories: 1) where and 

 how can we put wastes into the ground economically and under con- 

 ditions which will not jeopardize the rights of others, especially in 

 populated areas; and 2) what can we do with the large volume of 

 wastes that have been and are yet to be produced at our production 

 plants, particularly those which are being accumulated in under- 

 ground tanks at the Hanford Works in the State of Washington. Al- 

 most every year appropriations must be made to build more and 

 larger tanks, but this cannot go on forever. At least, we hope it will 

 not go on forever. We are looking to this group for more rational 

 schemes directed toward disposal to the ground. 



Some of our difficulties have been described to the oceanog- 

 raphers and marine biologists in meetings which Dr. Renn will re- 

 view. They have given us good advice: much of that advice indicates 

 that we ought to consider further means of underground disposal. 

 (Laughter) It seems to us, purely on the basis of economics, that 

 ground disposal should be much cheaper than ocean disposal. 



After the representatives of out contractor and our operations 

 and field officers have briefed you on the character of the wastes 

 and the current and foreseeable problems, we hope you will be able 

 to make recommendations to us as to what methods have hope of 

 being reasonably effective, and what type of research and development 

 should be carried out in order to evaluate these potentialities. 



The problem is extremely complex. It takes team work over 

 a wide spectrum in order to put the problem before you in the proper 

 light so that you may evaluate all aspects. If you can indicate to us 

 the directions in which we should encourage research and develop- 

 ment, we would be in a sound position to go to our budget people and 

 ask for appropriations to study those approaches that have some 

 probability of yielding positive solutions. 



It is no ordinary responsibility to take part in the early phases 

 of the growth of a new industry. Looking backward we know of the 

 mistakes that many industries made in assuming that disposal of 



