Sen. Barrasso releases draft bill on Yucca Mountain
ECA Staff | 4/24/2019
Today, Senator John Barrasso (R-WY), chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works committee, released a draft of the Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act of 2019, a bill to reform US nuclear waste management policy and advance the licensing process for the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository. A hearing for the committee to discuss the bill is currently scheduled for May 1.
The bill is the Senate's version of Rep. John Shimkus' (R-IL) Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act of 2018 (H.R. 3053) which passed the House in May of last year.
“Nuclear energy is critical if we are going to reduce carbon emissions in a meaningful way,” said Sen. Barrasso. “Last Congress, bipartisan legislation to support America’s nuclear innovators was passed and signed into law. The law of the land requires Washington to take responsibility to manage and dispose of spent nuclear fuel. Spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste is currently stored in 39 states across the
country. It’s time for Washington to fulfill its long-overdue promise to permanently and safely dispose of spent nuclear fuel.
“My draft legislation takes commonsense steps to advance the licensing of the Yucca Mountain facility. The legislation also strengthens the nation’s nuclear waste management program. After years of Washington looking the other way, it’s time to protect American ratepayers and taxpayers. Next week, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee will hold a hearing on the draft legislation. I look forward to continuing this
important conversation at the hearing.”
- Assist in the resolution of the pending Yucca Mountain license, which will allow the formal licensing process to determine if the repository can be licensed and constructed;
- Reform a broken financing mechanism to protect ratepayers and assure DOE has adequate funding to construct and operate a multi-generational infrastructure project;
- Direct the Department of Energy (DOE) to move forward with a temporary storage program to consolidate spent nuclear fuel from sites with a decommissioned reactor while work on the Yucca Mountain repository progresses, including the authority to enter into a contract with a non-federal entity;
- Provide the state of Nevada and local stakeholders the opportunity to beneficially engage with the Federal government as the host State for the repository;
- Provide the most expeditious pathway to remove defense-waste from DOE sites; and
- Strengthen DOE program management and organization to more effectively implement its nuclear waste program.
ECA supports moving forward with the Yucca Mountain licensing process. A final geologic repository - whether at Yucca Mountain or elsewhere - is essential to the final disposition of spent nuclear fuel and defense high-level waste and integral to the success of DOE’s environmental cleanup programs. ECA endorses Yucca Mountain’s application for licensure, allowing for the full and fair NRC licensing review as authorized by the
Nuclear Waste Policy Act and approved by Congress. In addition, ECA supports proceeding with the licensing review in order to gain licensing experience even if the Yucca Mountain application is unsuccessful. A clear, defined licensing process is integral to public trust and acceptance of any nuclear facility.
Read the draft legislation here.
Read a section-by-section of the draft legislation here.
Read the committee press release here.
STORAGE & DISPOSITION
Senator Martin Heinrich Op-ed: Celebrating WIPP's first 20 years
Carlsbad Current Argus | 4/23/2019
I am proud to join the Carlsbad community to celebrate 20 years of operation at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant — or WIPP. Nuclear facilities across the country like Los Alamos here in New Mexico, and Hanford and Oak Ridge in Washington and Tennessee, have contributed to our nation’s defense. Our nation has a difficult responsibility to clean up these sites’ radioactive waste.
I am deeply grateful to the entire Carlsbad community for how you have stepped up to meet that immense challenge. WIPP’s first 20 years have posed trials that have tested your resolve and resilience. Many workers have logged long hours and extra shifts to make sure this site reopened in a safe manner.
In the wake of the radiation leak in 2014, there were serious safety concerns that needed to be addressed. In the years and decades ahead, it remains imperative that the Department of Energy and WIPP continue to work collaboratively with the State of New Mexico and the Carlsbad community to maintain the public’s confidence and ensure that WIPP maintains the highest levels of safety and transparency.
I will continue to fight in the Senate for full federal funding for the Department of Energy’s cleanup work and the operations at WIPP. In the current government spending bill, I secured $403 million for WIPP operations, including $84 million to continue construction of a new ventilation system. Increased airflow is absolutely essential to maintain full and safe operations at WIPP. I also fought for $47 million to begin to repair and
replace critical infrastructure, such as electrical substations and fire suppression systems.
I also strongly believe that our local businesses need a fair chance to compete for the opportunity to supply commodities and provide services to all of our state’s Department of Energy facilities like WIPP. Consequently, I have worked to connect regional small businesses with the Department of Energy’s Supply Chain Management Center to help them learn more about subcontracting opportunities with WIPP and our state’s national
laboratories.
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