SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5926

BYSenators Benitz, Williams and Stratton

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

Senate Committee on Energy & Utilities

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 17, 1989; February 23, 1989

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Benitz, Chairman; Bluechel, Vice Chairman; Metcalf, Owen, Stratton, Sutherland, Williams.

Senate Staff:Phil Moeller (786-7455)

                  April 17, 1989

House Committe on Energy & Utilities

AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 14, 1989

BACKGROUND:

Washington is one of three states which contain commercial disposal sites for low-level radioactive waste.  In an attempt to force other regions to develop disposal sites, Congress passed legislation in 1985 creating a series of milestones for developing additional sites.

States may join regional compacts to develop disposal sites.  Washington is the host state of a 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.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Ecology is directed to 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.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Terry Husseman, Department of Ecology (pro)

HOUSE AMENDMENT:

A perpetual maintenance fund is created in the state treasury to provide a mechanism to pay for future costs related to the low-level radioactive waste disposal facility.  The fund is to consist of a site closure account and a perpetual surveillance and maintenance account.

All moneys currently administered by the Department of Ecology for closure of the site are transferred to the site closure account.  Until December 31, 1992, moneys contributed to the perpetual maintenance fund shall be directed to the site closure account.  Thereafter receipts may be directed to either account as specified by the department.