SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SJM 8029

              As Passed Senate, February 7, 1996

Brief Description:  Requesting that the Hanford Fast Flux Facility be preserved.

Sponsors:  Senators Loveland, Hale, Newhouse, Hochstatter, McCaslin, Sellar, Wojahn, Franklin, Haugen, Rinehart, Snyder, Owen, Spanel, Fraser, Sheldon, Fairley, Rasmussen, Heavey, McAuliffe, Prentice, Deccio and Roach.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Energy, Telecommunications & Utilities:  2/1/96 [DP].

Passed Senate, 2/7/96, 48-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY, TELECOMMUNICATIONS & UTILITIES

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Sutherland, Chair; Loveland, Vice Chair; Finkbeiner, Hochstatter and Owen.

Staff:  Phil Moeller (786-7445)

Background:  The Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF) is a late-generation research reactor located at Hanford.   For the last several years the FFTF has been without a specific mission and the United States Department of Energy has begun the process to close the reactor.

The reactor can be used for a variety of projects, including the creation of certain medical isotopes that presently are nearly all imported.  Concern has been raised over the cost of closing the facility, and interest exists to privatize the operation of the project.

Summary of Bill:  The President, congressional leaders, and members of the Washington state delegation to Congress are asked to ensure the restart, continued operation, and preservation of the Hanford Fast Flux Test Facility.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Testimony For:  The FFTF is a modern facility that can help provide cancer-curing medical isotopes.  Keeping the facility open will help in the effort to expand the FFTF mission.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Senator Loveland, prime sponsor (pro).