SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5994

BYSenators Benitz, Stratton and Newhouse

Designating the voting and nonvoting members of the nuclear waste board.

Senate Committee on Energy & Utilities

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 21, 1989

Senate Staff:Phil Moeller (786-7455)

AS OF FEBRUARY 21, 1989

BACKGROUND:

The Nuclear Waste Board was created in 1983 in response to the selection of Hanford as a possible site for the nation's first high-level nuclear waste repository.  Members include a chairman chosen by the Governor and the agency directors or their designee of the following agencies:  Ecology, the Energy Office, Public Lands, Social and Health Services, the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council and the State Water Research Center.  Two members from each caucus in both the Senate and House are ex-officio non-voting members of the board.

Federal legislation in late 1987 eliminated Hanford from consideration for the first high-level radioactive waste repository.

SUMMARY:

The Nuclear Waste Board and the Nuclear Waste Advisory Council are sunsetted as of June 30, 1991.  Legislative members of the waste board are granted voting status.  Agency director designees are given ex-officio non-voting status on the board.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested February 21, 1989