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Findings of the ESF Alternatives Study

Stevens, A.L.; Costin, L.S.

This report presents a summary of the conduct and findings of the Exploratory Shaft Alternatives Study. The study basis and findings are presented in sufficient detail to allow the Department of Energy to make an informed decision as to the Exploratory Shaft Facility (ESP)/Repository design option to be used as the basis for resumption of ESF Title 2 design. As a result of the desire for a rigorous, logically defensible analysis and the complexity of the required evaluation, a multi-attribute utility analysis was used as the primary decision-aiding tool. Over 2500 regulations, requirements and concerns were considered under four broad objectives. The analysis resulted in the ranking of 34 options, in accordance with the extent to which each option could achieve the objectives. Additional findings regarding design features that were identified as key elements in an options ability to provide good overall performance are also discussed. 4 figs., 9 tabs.