Texas U.S. Rep. Mike Conaway (R) yesterday introduced his bill that would enable private companies like Waste Control Specialists to host a consolidated interim nuclear waste storage facility. The “Interim Consolidated Storage Act of 2015” would amend the Nuclear Waste Policy Act to allow the Department of Energy to enter into interim storage contracts with private companies that hold a Nuclear Regulatory Commission license to store used nuclear fuel. The bill largely resembles Conaway’s draft legislation that emerged earlier this summer, including provisions that would require DOE to take title of the waste, enable the secretary of energy to enter into a settlement agreement with utilities, and open the Nuclear Waste Fund to pay for the storage, although DOE would be limited to only spending interest accrued from the fund in a given fiscal year.
Conaway, the chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, was joined by 14 other House lawmakers. Among the co-sponsors, 10 represent districts in Texas—a positive sign for WCS’ consent-based case— while the remaining four come from areas with a shutdown plant. “This failure of government to act has littered communities across the nation with high level nuclear waste stored in less than ideal conditions, including at the closed San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station [SONGS] in my own district,” said so-sponsor Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), whose district includes SONGS. “The Interim Consolidated Storage Act provides for a creative solution to a critical infrastructure need. The legislation would pair a region that is volunteering to host an interim waste storage facility with communities around the country that have nuclear waste demanding a better storage solution.” Other co-sponsors include: Reps. Lamar Smith (R-Texas), Gene Green (D-Texas), Sam Johnson (R-Texas), Kay Granger (R-Texas), Kenny Marchant (R-Texas), Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), Doris Matsui (D-Calif.), John Carter(R-Texas), Randy Neugebaur (R-Texas), Joe Courtney (D-Conn.), Blake Fahrenthold (R-Texas), and John Culberson (R-Texas).
