---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 2021h"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "2021h"
heading: "Alternative disposal methods"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/2021h"
units:
  - "Chapter 23 — Development and Control of Atomic Energy"
  - "Division A — Atomic Energy"
  - "Subchapter I — General Provisions"
---

# §2021h. Alternative disposal methods

- (a) Not later than 12 months after January 15, 1986, the Nuclear Regulatory [Commission](/usc/42/2014.md?p=f) shall, in consultation with the [States](/usc/42/2021b.md?p=14) and other interested [persons](/usc/42/2014.md?p=s), identify methods for the [disposal](/usc/42/2021b.md?p=7) of [low-level radioactive waste](/usc/42/2021b.md?p=9-A) other than shallow land burial, and establish and publish technical guidance regarding licensing of facilities that use such methods.
- (b) Not later than 24 months after January 15, 1986, the [Commission](/usc/42/2014.md?p=f) shall, in consultation with the [States](/usc/42/2021b.md?p=14) and other interested [persons](/usc/42/2014.md?p=s), identify and publish all relevant technical information regarding the methods identified pursuant to [subsection (a)](#a) that a [State](/usc/42/2021b.md?p=14) or [compact](/usc/42/2021b.md?p=4) must provide to the [Commission](/usc/42/2014.md?p=f) in order to pursue such methods, together with the technical requirements that such facilities must meet, in the judgment of the [Commission](/usc/42/2014.md?p=f), if pursued as an alternative to shallow land burial. Such technical information and requirements shall include, but need not be limited to, site suitability, site [design](/usc/42/2014.md?p=i), facility operation, [disposal](/usc/42/2021b.md?p=7) site closure, and environmental monitoring, as necessary to meet the performance objectives established by the [Commission](/usc/42/2014.md?p=f) for a licensed [low-level radioactive waste](/usc/42/2021b.md?p=9-A) [disposal](/usc/42/2021b.md?p=7) facility. The [Commission](/usc/42/2014.md?p=f) shall specify and publish such requirements in a manner and form deemed appropriate by the [Commission](/usc/42/2014.md?p=f).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 96–573, § 8, as added Pub. L. 99–240, title I, § 102, Jan. 15, 1986, 99 Stat. 1858.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Codification

Section was enacted as part of the Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Act, and not as part of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 which comprises this chapter.