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Bill99th CongressFiled Aug 1, 1985Energy
S. 1578

Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Amendments Act of 1985

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What it doesSummary reported to senate with amendment(s) (Dec 11, 1985)

(Reported to Senate from the Committee on Environment and Public Works with amendment (without written report))

Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Amendments Act of 1985 - Amends the Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Act to confer responsibility upon: (1) each State for the disposal of specified low-level radioactive waste either by itself or in cooperation with other States; and (2) the Federal Government for ensuring the safe disposal of specified high-level and low-level radioactive waste materials.

Directs the Secretary of Energy to submit to the Congress a comprehensive report on the safe disposal of certain radioactive waste.

Authorizes the States to enter into regional compacts to establish and operate regional low-level radioactive waste disposal facilities. Declares such compacts and regional activities inapplicable to: (1) the transportation, management or disposal of low-level radioactive waste owned by or generated as a result of activities of the Secretary or from atomic weapons research, testing, development or production; and (2) low-level radioactive waste disposal facilities operated exclusively for federally produced waste.

Subjects low-level radioactive waste generated by the Federal Government to the same conditions as any such waste which is not generated by Federal activities.

Requires such compacts to provide that the Congress may by law withdraw its consent every five years.

Requires each State in which a regional disposal facility is located to make disposal capacity available for low-level radioactive waste generated by certain commercial nuclear power reactors.

Provides that low-level radioactive waste generated within a sited compact region during a specified seven-year period shall be accorded priority in the allocation of available disposal capacity at regional disposal facilities located within the region, and at facilities located in: Barnwell, South Carolina; Beatty, Nevada; and at Richland, Washington. Sets guidelines under which such States may prohibit the disposal at their respective facilities of low-level radioactive waste generated outside of the compact region. Authorizes such States to limit low-level radioactive waste volumes accepted for disposal at their regional facilities during a specified seven-year period.

Sets allocation guidelines for low-level radioactive waste disposal capacity for certain commercial nuclear power reactors during: (1) a four-year transition period; and (2) a three-year licensing and construction period.

Sets guidelines for the assignment of disposal capacity allocations among eligible commercial nuclear power reactors.

Directs the States of South Carolina, Washington, and Nevada to make available additional disposal capacity among commercial nuclear power reactors whose allocations have been inadequate for specified reasons.

Authorizes the State in which a regional disposal facility is located to impose an additional surcharge upon low-level radioactive waste disposal.

Provides that surcharges shall be placed in an escrow account and be repaid to those non-sited compact regions and non-member States which meet specified deadline requirements for the establishment of low-level radioactive waste disposal facilities within their respective borders. Sets penalties for failure to meet such deadlines, including the imposition of additional surcharges and the denial of access to regional disposal facilities.

Sets forth conditions under which the Nuclear Regulatory Commission may grant emergency disposal facility access to a non-complying State if an imminent threat exists to the public safety or common defense. Prescribes guidelines under which any compact region or non-member compact State shall be entitled to reciprocal emergency access to disposal facilities.

Requires the Secretary to furnish technical and financial assistance to compact regions and to States seeking assistance under this Act.

Directs the Commission within a specified time frame to: (1) publish the technical information and guidance needed by States and compact regions to establish low-level radioactive waste disposal facilities that use alternatives to shallow land burial and that meet the Commission's licensing requirements; (2) expedite the licensing review procedure for new low level radioactive waste disposal facilities; (3) develop standards, procedures and expertise to exempt from Commission regulations waste streams whose radioactive waste is below regulatory concern; and (4) publish in the Federal Register (in conjunction with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency) certain substances listed as hazardous waste under the Solid Waste Disposal Act and subject to its regulation that are low-level radioactive waste as specified under this Act. Sets forth the actions to be taken by the Commission and the Administrator regarding the treatment and disposal of hazardous waste for the protection of human health and the environment.

What just happenedDec 19, 1985

Indefinitely postponed by Senate by Voice Vote.

Who’s behind it

Sen. Thurmond, Strom [R-SC](R-SC)Sponsor
27 cosponsors9 D18 R
Read on Congress.gov
27cosponsors1committees9actions18subjects
  1. Dec 19, 1985Floor

    Indefinitely postponed by Senate by Voice Vote.

  2. Dec 11, 1985Calendars

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 461.

  3. Dec 11, 1985Committee

    Committee on Environment and Public Works. Reported to Senate by Senator Simpson with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

    Environment and Public Works Committee
  4. Dec 11, 1985Committee14000

    Committee on Environment and Public Works. Reported to Senate by Senator Simpson with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

    Environment and Public Works Committee
  5. Dec 4, 1985Committee

    Committee on Environment and Public Works. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

    Environment and Public Works Committee
  6. Nov 21, 1985Committee

    Subcommittee on Nuclear Regulation. Approved for full committee consideration with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

    Clean Water, Fisheries and Wildlife Subcommittee
  7. Oct 8, 1985Committee

    Subcommittee on Nuclear Regulation. Hearings held.

    Clean Water, Fisheries and Wildlife Subcommittee
  8. Aug 1, 1985IntroReferral

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

    Environment and Public Works Committee
  9. Aug 1, 1985IntroReferral10000

    Introduced in Senate

Reported to Senate with amendment(s)Dec 11, 198501
(Reported to Senate from the Committee on Environment and Public Works with amendment (without written report))

Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Amendments Act of 1985 - Amends the Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Act to confer responsibility upon: (1) each State for the disposal of specified low-level radioactive waste either by itself or in cooperation with other States; and (2) the Federal Government for ensuring the safe disposal of specified high-level and low-level radioactive waste materials.

Directs the Secretary of Energy to submit to the Congress a comprehensive report on the safe disposal of certain radioactive waste.

Authorizes the States to enter into regional compacts to establish and operate regional low-level radioactive waste disposal facilities. Declares such compacts and regional activities inapplicable to: (1) the transportation, management or disposal of low-level radioactive waste owned by or generated as a result of activities of the Secretary or from atomic weapons research, testing, development or production; and (2) low-level radioactive waste disposal facilities operated exclusively for federally produced waste.

Subjects low-level radioactive waste generated by the Federal Government to the same conditions as any such waste which is not generated by Federal activities.

Requires such compacts to provide that the Congress may by law withdraw its consent every five years.

Requires each State in which a regional disposal facility is located to make disposal capacity available for low-level radioactive waste generated by certain commercial nuclear power reactors.

Provides that low-level radioactive waste generated within a sited compact region during a specified seven-year period shall be accorded priority in the allocation of available disposal capacity at regional disposal facilities located within the region, and at facilities located in: Barnwell, South Carolina; Beatty, Nevada; and at Richland, Washington. Sets guidelines under which such States may prohibit the disposal at their respective facilities of low-level radioactive waste generated outside of the compact region. Authorizes such States to limit low-level radioactive waste volumes accepted for disposal at their regional facilities during a specified seven-year period.

Sets allocation guidelines for low-level radioactive waste disposal capacity for certain commercial nuclear power reactors during: (1) a four-year transition period; and (2) a three-year licensing and construction period.

Sets guidelines for the assignment of disposal capacity allocations among eligible commercial nuclear power reactors.

Directs the States of South Carolina, Washington, and Nevada to make available additional disposal capacity among commercial nuclear power reactors whose allocations have been inadequate for specified reasons.

Authorizes the State in which a regional disposal facility is located to impose an additional surcharge upon low-level radioactive waste disposal.

Provides that surcharges shall be placed in an escrow account and be repaid to those non-sited compact regions and non-member States which meet specified deadline requirements for the establishment of low-level radioactive waste disposal facilities within their respective borders. Sets penalties for failure to meet such deadlines, including the imposition of additional surcharges and the denial of access to regional disposal facilities.

Sets forth conditions under which the Nuclear Regulatory Commission may grant emergency disposal facility access to a non-complying State if an imminent threat exists to the public safety or common defense. Prescribes guidelines under which any compact region or non-member compact State shall be entitled to reciprocal emergency access to disposal facilities.

Requires the Secretary to furnish technical and financial assistance to compact regions and to States seeking assistance under this Act.

Directs the Commission within a specified time frame to: (1) publish the technical information and guidance needed by States and compact regions to establish low-level radioactive waste disposal facilities that use alternatives to shallow land burial and that meet the Commission's licensing requirements; (2) expedite the licensing review procedure for new low level radioactive waste disposal facilities; (3) develop standards, procedures and expertise to exempt from Commission regulations waste streams whose radioactive waste is below regulatory concern; and (4) publish in the Federal Register (in conjunction with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency) certain substances listed as hazardous waste under the Solid Waste Disposal Act and subject to its regulation that are low-level radioactive waste as specified under this Act. Sets forth the actions to be taken by the Commission and the Administrator regarding the treatment and disposal of hazardous waste for the protection of human health and the environment.

Introduced in SenateAug 1, 198500

Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Amendments Act of 1985 - Amends the Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Act to confer responsibility upon: (1) each State for the disposal of specified low-level radioactive waste either by itself or in cooperation with other States; and (2) the Federal Government for ensuring the safe disposal of specified high-level and low-level radioactive waste materials.

Directs the Secretary of Energy to submit to the Congress a comprehensive report regarding the safe disposal of certain radioactive waste.

Authorizes the States to enter into regional compacts to establish and operate regional low-level radioactive waste disposal facilities. Declares such compacts and regional activities inapplicable to: (1) low-level radioactive waste activities generated by the Secretary; or (2) low-level radioactive waste disposal facilities operated exclusively for federally produced waste.

Subjects low-level radioactive waste generated by the Federal Government to the same conditions as any such waste which is not generated by Federal activities.

Requires each compact to provide that every five years the Congress may by law withdraw its consent.

Requires each State in which a regional disposal facility is located to make disposal capacity available for low-level radioactive waste generated by certain commercial nuclear power reactors. Requires the States of South Carolina, Washington, and Nevada to enter into an agreement with each other to establish which disposal facility shall accept low-level radioactive waste from which generators of such waste. Sets limitations upon: (1) the availability of disposal capacity for low-level radioactive waste from specified sources; and (2) the allocations of disposal capacity for certain commercial nuclear power reactors.

Sets requirements for access to regional disposal facilities by non-sited compact regions or by non-compact member States that do not have an operating regional disposal facility. Authorizes the suspension or denial of access to regional disposal facilities if such requirements are not met.

Specifies disposal capacity allocations during a three-year licensing and construction period for low-level radioactive waste generators located within a non-sited compact region, or within a State that is not a member of a compact region.

Sets guidelines for the assignment of disposal capacity allocations among eligible commercial nuclear power reactors.

Directs the States of South Carolina, Washington, and Nevada to enter into an agreement with each other for the allocation of additional disposal capacity among commercial nuclear power reactors whose allocations have been inadequate for specified reasons.

Sets forth guidelines under which low-level radioactive waste disposal limitations or requirements are suspended due to emergency conditions.

Authorizes the State in which a regional disposal facility is located to impose a surcharge upon low-level radioactive waste disposal.

Directs the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and each agreement State to ensure that low-level radioactive waste disposal facilities licensed by the Commission or agreement State are bonded or covered by other financial assurance for a safe and environmentally sound radioactive waste disposal operation.

Requires the Secretary of Energy to furnish technical and financial assistance to compact regions and to States seeking assistance under this Act.

Requires the Secretary to submit a comprehensive report to the Congress regarding the operation of the national system for the management and disposal of low-level radioactive waste.

Directs the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to promulgate criteria for: (1) the licensing of low-level radioactive waste disposal facilities that use disposal methods other than shallow land burial; and (2) the disposal of certain material classified as low-level radioactive waste.