S-3963               _______________________________________________

                                           SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL NO. 143

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              49th Legislature                              1986 Regular Session

By Senator Williams

Read first time 1/24/86 and referred to Committee on Energy & Utilities.

TO THE HONORABLE RONALD REAGAN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, AND TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AND TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES, IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED:

          We, your Memorialists, the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Washington, in legislative session assembled, respectfully represent and petition as follows:

          WHEREAS, Under federal law up to one-half of the low-level radioactive waste disposed of nationally over the next seven years is designated for disposal in Washington; and

          WHEREAS, Washington is one of three states with sites under consideration for designation as the national high-level radioactive waste repository; and

          WHEREAS, Despite some attempts to regulate the transportation of radioactive wastes, from 1971 to 1982, nearly one hundred twenty-five reported transportation accidents involving radioactive materials occurred nationally, twelve of which involved the release of radiation; and

          WHEREAS, Washington along with other states are developing standards and regulations to assure the safe transport of radioactive materials, including radioactive waste; and

          WHEREAS, An accident involving the transportation of radioactive waste could have a devastating effect on the people and environment of the region; and

          WHEREAS, A close and cooperative relationship between the states and the Department of Energy is critical to assure safe transportation of radioactive material;

          NOW, THEREFORE, Your Memorialists respectfully pray that the President of the United States and the United State Congress direct the Department of Energy to provide technical assistance and request Congress to provide necessary funds and enact necessary legislation for states to develop a regional approach for the transportation of radioactive materials, including the development of uniform laws and regulations and development of a regional emergency response plan.

          BE IT RESOLVED, That copies of this Memorial be immediately transmitted to the Honorable Ronald Reagan, President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and each member of Congress from the State of Washington.