HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS

                 HB 1609

Title:  An act relating to low‑level radioactive waste disposal sites.

Brief Description:  Limiting the number of times the maximum disposal fee at a radioactive waste disposal site may be adjusted.

Sponsors:  Representatives Mastin, Poulsen, Hankins and Kessler; by request of Utilities & Transportation Commission.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

ENERGY & UTILITIES

Meeting Date:  February 18, 1997.

Bill Analysis Prepared by:  Margaret Allen  (786-7110).

Background:   In 1980, Congress passed the Low Level Radioactive Waste Policy Act, which allows states to form compacts to manage commercial low-level radioactive waste (LLRW) generated within a given compact region.  Washington is a member of the Northwest Interstate Compact; other compact members include Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, and Wyoming.

Typical LLRW includes contaminated tools, rags, clothing, wood, filters, medical materials, and some industrial wastes, from such sources as hospitals, research institutions, radiopharmaceutical industries, and nuclear utilities. 

The only site available for disposing of LLRW generated in the eight states that are members of the Northwest Interstate Compact is located on the Hanford Reservation in Eastern Washington.  An agreement between the Northwest Interstate Compact and the Rocky Mountain Compact allows the site to accept limited quantities of LLRW from Colorado, Nevada, and New Mexico as well.

In 1991, the Legislature enacted legislation requiring the site operator to be subject to rate regulation by the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission.  The maximum disposal rates are adjusted in January and July each year to incorporate inflation and volume adjustments.

Summary of Bill:  Maximum disposal rates for LLRW will be adjusted annually in January.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.