PNNL

Abstract

This large Italian public works project started with the development of engineering data to support the evaluation of three alternatives for processing nuclear waste. After an analysis of the alternatives performance from an engineering perspective was completed, it was decided to have an independent assessment of this important decision by a competent and independent company that was thoroughly familiar with nuclear waste processing. The initial analysis did not include an evaluation of alternative performance from the perspective of a broad set of public values. A decision methodology was developed as a practical variation on a data intensive text-book decision processes. This paper describes a decision process that made use of engineering data and expert judgment to minimize expensive additional data collection in order to carry out a multiattribute decision analysis that was theoretically grounded and economical to implement while incorporating both engineering and stakeholder objectives. Using technical descriptions of alternative performance, Sicieta Gestione Impianti Nucleari (Sogin) staff evaluated three alternatives to treat and immobilize radioactive Saluggia nuclear waste. Battelle staff mapped technical performance to a broader set of decision objectives and used a modified SMART decision process without explicitly defining measurement scales and value functions. Through this process, the Battelle staff verified the selection made by the Sogin staff.