SENATE BILL REPORT

                                   SCR 8403

                              AS OF MARCH 5, 1991

Brief Description:  Forming a joint select committee to review the Northwest interstate compact on low‑level radioactive waste management.

SPONSORS:Senators Williams and Sutherland.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY & UTILITIES

Staff:  Phil Moeller (786‑7445)

Hearing Dates:February 26, 1991

BACKGROUND:

Washington is the host state for the Northwest Interstate Compact on Low-Level Radioactive Waste.  Other compact members include the states of Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Utah.

Federal legislation passed in 1980 allowed states to form compacts for the purpose of collectively finding solutions to the problem of disposing of commercial low-level radioactive waste.  Amendments to the federal legislation were passed in 1985 when certain enforcement mechanisms in the original legislation proved ineffective.

The Hanford facility is scheduled to remain open after 1992, when federal law requires all states to develop their own sites or form compacts to develop disposal sites.  Of the three sites presently open, only Hanford will remain open after 1992.  The other sites planned throughout the nation may not open by 1993.

SUMMARY:

A Joint Select Committee is formed to review and suggest changes relating to the Northwest Interstate Compact on Low-Level Radioactive Waste management.  Committee membership consists of four members from the Senate and four members from the House of Representatives.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested