thinking ahead, page-4

Yuro, thanks for the link. Purd2, that's an interesting question. I hope someone can find an answer to it.

In light of the NRC's softening stance, here's part of the reason why Yuro's excited:


Draft NRC Regulatory Issue Summary 2011-xxxx: NRC Policy Regarding
Submittal of Amendments for Processing of Equivalent Feed at Licensed
Uranium Recovery Facilities

Addressees

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) licensed uranium recovery facilities; all holders of NRC operating licenses for water treatment; all companies that have submitted applications to construct all types of new uranium recovery facilities (conventional mills, heap leach facilities, and in situ recovery (ISR) facilities); and all Radiation Control Program Directors and State Liaison Officers.

Intent

In 2000, the NRC developed RIS 00-23, ``Recent Changes to Uranium Recovery Policy,'' (ADAMS Accession No. LXXXXXXXX) to address licensing issues related to processing of alternate feed at uranium recovery sites. The NRC is issuing this RIS to clarify the agency's policy that receipt and processing, of ``equivalent feed'' \1\ (resin media) at an NRC-licensed uranium recovery facility, whether conventional, heap leach, or ISR does not require a license amendment when the resin being used is chemically and physically essentially the same and would be processed using existing equipment at the facility.

It is not the intent of this RIS to change the policy expressed in RIS 00-23 or redefine the definition of alternate feed. Rather, it clarifies that inclusion of resin media into the alternate feed category is inconsistent with the original intent of RIS 00-23 and with technology now in existence in the uranium recovery industry.
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\1\ For the purposes of this RIS, equivalent feed is: ion exchange (IX) resin that is loaded with uranium at a facility other than a licensed uranium recovery facility, such as water treatment plants or mine dewatering operations.
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