HOUSE BILL REPORT

SB 5926

As Amended by the House

BYSenators Benitz, Williams and Stratton

Requiring development of contingency plans relating to the Hanford facility's low-level radioactive waste.

House Committe on Energy & Utilities

Majority Report:  Do pass with amendments. (12)

      Signed by Representatives Nelson, Chair; Todd, Vice Chair; Hankins, Ranking Republican Member; Brooks, Cooper, Jacobsen, Jesernig, May, R. Meyers, Miller, H. Myers and S. Wilson.

House Staff:Fred Adair (786-7113)

AS PASSED HOUSE APRIL 14, 1989

BACKGROUND:

Washington is one of three states which contain commercial disposal sites for low-level radioactive waste.  In 1980, Congress gave low-level radioactive waste disposal responsibility to states who could either dispose individually or regionally through interstate compacts.  Due to slow progress in developing sites , Congress amended the legislation in 1985 creating a series of milestones for developing additional sites and permitting surcharges for handling out-of-state or out of region surcharges.  Additionally, through statutory authority and sublease agreement, the state can levy fees for site management and oversight.

Washington is the host state of the Northwest Interstate Compact which includes Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Utah.  States with disposal sites, such as Washington, are empowered to deny disposal access to waste generated outside the compact after 1992.  The disposal site at Hanford is located on land leased by the state from the federal government and subleased to the commercial operator.  In 1988, just over 400,000 cubic feet of waste was disposed at the facility, of which approximately 125,000 cubic feet was generated in the compact region.  The disposal site generated approximately $9 million in revenue for the state of Washington in 1988.  Future volumes are uncertain, raising questions about financial planning.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Ecology shall develop contingency plans for the department and other state agencies related to the low-level radioactive disposal facility.  Plans are to be based on various projections of waste volume and are to include an analysis of expected revenue changes based on different disposal volumes.  The initial set of plans is due October 1, 1989 and is to be updated annually.

A perpetual maintenance fund consisting of a site closure account and a perpetual surveillance and maintenance account is established in the treasury.  Until December 31, 1992, all funds directed into the perpetual maintenance fund shall be placed in the site closure account.  Thereafter, funds shall be placed as specified by the Department of Ecology.

Fiscal Note:      Available.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Max Power, Department of Ecology.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    There should be planning now, especially for after 1992, for a variety of waste disposal volume assumptions.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.

VOTE ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      Yeas 92; Absent 3; Excused 3

Absent:     Representatives Locke, H. Sommers and Wineberry

Excused:    Representatives Gallagher, Haugen and R. Meyers