II 110th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 3225 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 7, 2008 Mr. Alexander (for himself and Mr. Cardin) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works A BILL To amend the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to prohibit the importation of certain low-level radioactive waste into the United States.

1.

Prohibition on importation of low-level radioactive waste

(a)

In general

Chapter 8 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2111 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

85.

Importation of low-level radioactive waste

(a)

In general

Except as provided in subsection (b) or (c), the Commission shall not issue a license authorizing the importation into the United States of— (1)low-level radioactive waste (as defined in section 2 of the Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 2021b)); or (2)specific radioactive waste streams exempted from regulation by the Commission under section 10 of that Act (42 U.S.C. 2021j). (b)

Nonapplication

Subsection (a) shall not apply to— (1)low-level radioactive waste being returned to a United States Government or military facility that is authorized to possess the material; or (2)low-level radioactive waste resulting from the use in a foreign country of nuclear material obtained by the foreign user from an entity in the United States that is being returned to the United States for management and disposal. (c)

Waivers

(1)

In general

The President may waive the prohibition under this section and authorize the grant of a specific license to import materials prohibited under subsection (a) under the rules of the Commission, only after a finding that the importation would meet an important national or international policy goal, such as the use of waste for research purposes. (2)

Specifications

A waiver under paragraph (1) shall specify— (A)the policy goal to be achieved; (B)how the policy goal is to be achieved; and (C)the quantity of material to be imported. (d)

Current licenses

A license not permitted under this section that was issued before the date of enactment of this section may continue in effect according to the terms of the license, but may not be extended or amended with respect to the quantity of material permitted to be imported.

. (b)

Table of contents amendment

The table of contents for the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 is amended by inserting at the end of the items relating to chapter 8 the following: Sec. 85. Importation of low-level radioactive waste. .