Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with Senate amendments and pass a bill that amends provisions relating to the disposal of radioactive waste.

Highlights:

• Authorizes the director to authorize, at the request of a licensee or applicant, provisions for the classification and characteristics of waste for land disposal in Utah on a specific basis, if after evaluation the director finds that (Sec. 1):

• There is reasonable assurance of compliance with the performance objectives, dose limits, and other applicable requirements;

• The dose limits of the waste are equal to or less than that of;

• Class A low-level radioactive waste; and

• Radioactive waste having a higher radionuclide concentration than the highest radionuclide concentration allowed under licenses existing on February 25, 2005, that have all of the necessary requirements. 

• Specifies that the prohibition of accepting certain types of waste or applying for accepting certain types of waste does not apply to waste classified in compliance with the requirements of the preceding highlight (Sec. 1).

• Requires the director, within 5 business days of the day on which the director makes findings to authorize the classification and characteristics of waste in the first highlight, to notify (Sec. 1):

• The chairs of the Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Interim Committee; or

• The chair of the House and Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Standing Committees if the findings are issued during a general legislative session. 

• Specifies that the director must require, as a condition to the disposal by a radioactive waste facility, of a total aggregate quantity of more than one metric ton of concentrated depleted uranium (Sec. 1):

• An approved performance assessment;

• Designation of a federal cell by the director; and

• That the United States of Energy accepts perpetual management of the federal cell, title to the land, title to the waste, and financial stewardship including for the waste in the cell.

• Establishes a tax on a radioactive waste facility on and after July 1, 2019 (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text