SENATE BILL REPORT

2SSB 5993

BYSenate Committee on Energy & Utilities (originally sponsored by Senators Benitz, Stratton, Newhouse and Hayner)

Promoting the use of one thousand acres leased on the Hanford reservation.

Senate Committee on Energy & Utilities

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 21, 1989; February 28, 1989; January 30, 1990; February 2, 1990

Majority Report:  That Second Substitute Senate Bill No. 5993 be substituted therefor, and the second substitute bill do pass.

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

Senate Staff:David Monthie (786-7198)

                  February 10, 1990

AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 9, 1990

BACKGROUND:

In 1964 the state entered into a 99-year lease of 1,000 acres of federal land located at Hanford.  The lease stipulates that the state should actively promote subleases of the land for nuclear-related industry on the site.  Original oversight of the lease was under the jurisdiction of the Department of Commerce and Economic Development.

The Department of Ecology presently oversees the lease.  The state has subleased 100 acres to one firm that operates a commercial low-level radioactive disposal facility on the site.

The Tri-Cities area near the Hanford reservation contains a highly-educated and skilled work force and state-of-the-art facilities, such as the Fast Flux Test Facility and the Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratories.  There is concern that a reduction of federal funding for Hanford-area projects could have a severe negative affect on the Tri-Cities economy.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Trade and Economic Development is directed to promote the existence of the lease and the possibility of subleases for nuclear related industries.  The department is also required to promote the existence of the highly skilled and trained work force in the Tri-Cities area, and the availability of such facilities as the Fast Flux Test Facility and the Pacific Northwest Laboratories.

Appropriation:    $40,000

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested January 26, 1990

Senate Committee - Testified: No one