State implementation of the low-level radioactive waste policy amendments act: A federal perspective

The January 1986 enactment of Public Law 99-240, the Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Amendments Act of 1985, provided a series of milestones, incentives, and penalties to encourage states and compact regions to fulfill their responsibilities to safely dispose of the low-level radioactive wastes (LLWs) generated within their states. The act ensures that LLW generators will have continued access to the three existing commercial LLW disposal sites through 1992 as long as their states or compact regions are in compliance with milestones prescribed in the amendments act for development of new disposal facilities. Currently, 41 states have joined nine compact regions to provide for the disposal of LLW generated within their borders. Six states have declared their intentions to develop their own individual disposal sites. Two states have contracted with a sited compact region to dispose of their waste, and three states still have not declared their intentions for management of their LLW. The formation of compact regions appropriate to waste disposal needs remains a dynamic process. The need for extensive public involvement in the development of the disposal site has placed further demands on the facility development process. Political, institutional, legal, and economic factors are still materially affecting the developmentmore » and stability of the regional approach to managing LLW.« less