HOUSE BILL REPORT

SHJM 4023

BYHouse Committee on Energy & Utilities (originally sponsored by Representatives Jesernig, Hankins, Brooks, Baugher, Grant, Bristow, Nelson, Brekke, Unsoeld, Rust, Walker, Pruitt, Jacobsen, Sprenkle, Rayburn, Wineberry, Todd, B. Williams, C. Smith, Crane, Schoon, Winsley, Doty, Spanel, Silver, Hine and Holm)

Petitioning Congress to pursue the cleanup and disposal of radioactive wastes at Hanford.

House Committe on Energy & Utilities

Majority Report:  The substitute memorial be substituted therefor and the substitute memorial do pass.  (14)

      Signed by Representatives Nelson, Chair; Todd, Vice Chair; Barnes, Brooks, Gallagher, Hankins, Jacobsen, Jesernig, Madsen, May, Miller, Sutherland, Unsoeld and S. Wilson.

House Staff:Fred Adair (786-7113) and Ted Hunter (786-7114)

AS PASSED HOUSE MARCH 20, 1987

BACKGROUND:

National defense activities involving nuclear materials have been ongoing on the Hanford Reservation for over 40 years.  A consequence has been the accumulation of substantial quantities or radioactive wastes, some of which are very hazardous.  These wastes currently are in non-permanent storage and, accordingly, pose a potential threat to future generations.  There are hazardous chemical wastes as well as radioactive wastes in non- permanent storage, posing a similar threat.

Because of the large cost of rendering the area safe for future generations, there should be steady and assured funding for the task.

SUMMARY:

Congress is asked to pursue cleanup of the Hanford Reservation vigorously by appropriating sufficient funds on a continuing basis as recommended by the Northwest Citizens Forum on Defense Waste.  This should include consideration of establishing a defense waste trust fund.

EFFECT OF SENATE AMENDMENT(S):  Recognition is given the role of the state Nuclear Waste Board in promoting cleanup of defense radioactive waste.  The upper limit of potential cleanup cost is raised from $11 billion to $17 billion and the memorial will be sent to the Department of Energy instead of the Department of Defense.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Representative Jim Jesernig, sponsor; Betty Tabbutt, Washington Environmental Council.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    People in the Tri-Cities area are concerned about environmental issues, too.  There is a large job to do and there should be regularly-provided funding to enable sustained progress in the cleanup.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.

VOTE ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      Yeas 95; Absent 2; Excused 1

Absent:     Representatives Lewis and Wineberry

Excused:    Representative Padden