SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5927

BYSenators Benitz and Stratton

Prohibiting the state from paying meeting costs for other compact member states.

Senate Committee on Energy & Utilities

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

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5927 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

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

Senate Staff:Phil Moeller (786-7455)

                  February 23, 1989

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ENERGY & UTILITIES, FEBRUARY 23, 1989

BACKGROUND:

Washington is host state of the Northwest Interstate Compact on low-level radioactive waste management.  Other member states include Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Utah.

Costs of the compact, including meetings, are paid for by fees charged to waste generators.

Federal legislation allows Washington to deny access to out-of-compact-region waste after 1992.  There is some question as to whether the site will be profitable to operate if volume levels fall too low.

SUMMARY:

Access to the Hanford disposal site is allowed for low-level waste generated outside the region if the economic viability of the site depends on out-of-region waste disposal.

The state is prohibited from reimbursing costs of compact meetings held outside the state of Washington.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

References are deleted in the intent section which state that it is preferable for the disposal site to be operated by a private firm.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Terry Husseman, Department of Ecology