PEARCE LOOKING TO EXPAND WIPP MISSION IN HOUSE DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION

Among potential amendments to the House’s version of the Fiscal Year 2014 National Defense Authorization Act, Rep. Steve Pearce (R-N.M.) is looking to add a provision to expand the mission of the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant. In addition to defense transuranic waste, the proposed amendment states it would open the repository to "the transportation and disposal of any non-defense Federal Government-owned transuranic waste that can be shown to meet" WIPP’s acceptace criteria. The provision mirrors legislation Pearce introduced last month. Given that efforts to dispose of the Department of Energy’s legacy defense transuranic waste are expected to wind down in the next few years, Pearce has said hopes that the facility will soon legally be able to accept additional waste in order to sustain jobs near the site.

Lawmakers are hoping the House will consider a number of other DOE-related amendments, and the House is expected to decide today which provisions will be debated for inclusion in the bill. Reps. Paul Tonko (D-NY.) and Jackie Speier (D-Calif.) are hoping to add a provision that would limit contractor compensation to no more than the vice president’s rate, currently $230,700. Rep. Doc Hastings (R-Wash.) is looking to add an amendment to establish a national historical park on the Manhattan Project at three DOE defense sites, a proposal that is also included in standalone legislation in the House and Senate. Hastings is also hoping to direct the Department to transfer a parcel of land at Hanford to the Hanford Community Reuse Organization.