40 C.F.R. Part 191 is a binding federal regulation issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It sets nationwide environmental radiation protection standards for how the United States manages and disposes of spent nuclear fuel, high-level radioactive waste, and transuranic waste.
It is part of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), meaning it carries the force of law and applies to federal agencies like the Department of Energy (DOE) and to facilities regulated by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).
Part 191 establishes enforceable safety limits designed to protect the public and the environment from radiation exposure:
- Subpart A sets limits on radiation exposure from the storage and management of nuclear waste before disposal.
- Subpart B establishes strict long-term containment requirements for disposal sites, limiting the amount of radioactive material that can escape into the environment for up to 10,000 years after closure.
- Subpart C sets standards to protect groundwater from contamination.
These rules legally constrain how federal agencies design, license, and operate nuclear waste facilities. They also serve as benchmarks for compliance, where projects must demonstrate they meet these standards before approval.
