UMGC ENMT495 Week 7 Discussion (dq1+dq2+dq3) Latest 2021 October

ENMT495 Global Environmental Management Issues

Week 7 Discussion

DQ1 Radioactive Waste Strategies

Lead: Maria

Summarizer: Victor

Please answer one of the following questions.

Option 1:

We know that we cannot realistically meet energy consumption demands with sustainable resources – research countries/communities that have made management plans to switch to sustainable energy and give a summary of the impacts.  Could these practices be used for developing countries that struggle economically?  Why or why not?

Option 2:

This week we read on issues associated with the international classification of radioactive waste.  The diverse nomenclature of waste classification makes it difficult for direct comparison between countries, fortunately, there are common features within the main classification systems that make comparison possible.  Below are the three main classification systems and their respective countries.  Research and compare 1 category of radioactive waste (low & intermediate, short-lived waste, long-lived waste, or high-level waste) between 2 classification systems (Mode of Disposition, Main Characteristic, or Origin of Waste).  Compare management strategies and identify what you believe is the best management strategy for that waste. Which of these main classification systems do you believe is more efficient for developing management strategies?

Waste Classification Type:	Mode of Disposition	Main Characteristic	Origin of Waste
Countries:	France, Spain, & Japan	U.K. & Germany	U.S. & Finland

 

Which classification system and their respective management strategies would you recommend for waste management in developing countries? Why?

DQ2 Mixed Waste Regulations

Lead: Victor

Summarizer: Jacob

Please answer one of the following questions.

Option 1:

From the readings we understand that mixed waste is classified as waste that is both radioactive AND hazardous, and that regulations prohibit both radioactive waste and hazardous waste from being added into and disposed of with mixed wastes.  The Berkley Labs link https://www2.lbl.gov/ehs/waste/wm_pub_3092_ch3.shtml

provided a structured overview of how to process mixed waste.  From that, what controls, if any, are available to address radioactive or hazardous wastes being illegally combined with mixed waste?  What can be changed or added for additional safety and compliance?  If nothing else, why not? 

Option 2:

Because it contains both radioactive and hazardous materials, mixed waste is jointly regulated under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and the Atomic Energy Act, which are two different pieces of legislation with two different sets of guidelines.  However, if a guideline discrepancy between the two arises, the Atomic Energy Act protocols are to be followed.  Explain why this is and provide an example of a situation where this issue arose and how it was resolved (meaning the act which took precedence or guided the conclusion).  Do you find the current U.S. guidelines to be sufficient?  If so, why?  If not, why not?

DQ3 Management issues in Radioactive Waste and Mixed Waste

Lead: Jacob

Summarizer: Maria

Please answer one of the following questions.

Option 1:

In this week’s reading we learned about Hanford’s Nuclear energy and release and the impacts of radioactive and mixed wastes on the environment. Do you think the US government took appropriate proactive steps to prevent further environmental damage? Why? Could there have been additional proactive steps to prevent further waste contamination?  Could there have been different management concepts or strategies to manage the waste produced? Did the economic need for developing the first nuclear weapon pressure our leaders into making hasty decisions that have left a significant impact in our environment?

Option 2:

Global waste management market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 2.67% during the period 2017-2021. One trend is the growth of nuclear power in developing countries to supply other countries energy demands externally. Each factory developed brings economic growth to these countries, but also introduces more waste into the system. For example, according to this World Nuclear Association text https://world-nuclear.org/information-library/country-profiles/others/emerging-nuclear-energy-countries.aspx

Poland, in 2018, announced plans to build a nuclear power plant in Lithuania that would provide power to Poland, Estonia, and Latvia. Is it unethical for more developed countries to outsource this energy to meet their growing demands? Why or why not? Could this be an environmental justice issue?  Find an example of how developing countries are dealing with the ramifications of providing energy for other countries, summarize what happened, the managerial mistakes made, and what you would have done different?