[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 141 (Monday, October 3, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 3, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
    CENTRAL MIDWEST INTERSTATE LOW-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTE COMPACT 
                     AMENDMENTS CONSENT ACT OF 1994

  Mr. LEHMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 4814) to grant the consent of the Congress to amendments to 
the Central Midwest Interstate Low-Level Radioactive Waste Compact, as 
amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 4814

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Central Midwest Interstate 
     Low-Level Radioactive Waste Compact Amendments Consent Act of 
     1994''.

     SEC. 2. CONDITIONS OF CONSENT TO COMPACT AMENDMENTS.

       The consent of the Congress to the compact amendments set 
     forth in section 3--
       (1) shall become effective on the date of the enactment of 
     this Act;
       (2) is granted subject to the provisions of the Low-Level 
     Radioactive Waste Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 2021b et seq.); and
       (3) is granted only for so long as the regional commission 
     established in the amended compact complies with all of the 
     provisions of such Act.

     SEC. 3. CONSENT OF CONGRESS TO COMPACT AMENDMENTS.

       In accordance with section 4(a)(2) of the Low-Level 
     Radioactive Waste Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 2021d(a)(2)), the 
     consent of the Congress is hereby given to amendments made by 
     the States of Illinois and Kentucky to the Central Midwest 
     Interstate Low-Level Radioactive Waste Compact, which compact 
     was consented to by the Congress in section 224 of the 
     Omnibus Low-Level Radioactive Waste Interstate Compact 
     Consent Act (Pub. L. 99-240; 42 U.S.C. 2021 note). The 
     amendments to which such consent is given are substantially 
     as follows:
       (1) The 2d undesignated paragraph of article I of the 
     compact is amended to read as follows:
       ``The states party to this compact recognize that the 
     Congress of the United States, by enacting the Low-Level 
     Radioactive Waste Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 2021), has provided 
     for and encouraged the development of low-level radioactive 
     waste compacts as a tool for managing such waste. The party 
     states also recognize that the management of low-level 
     radioactive waste is handled most efficiently on a regional 
     basis; and, that the safe and efficient management of low-
     level radioactive waste generated within the region requires 
     that sufficient capacity to manage such waste be properly 
     provided.''.
       (2) Section (k) of article II of the compact is amended to 
     read as follows:
       ``k) `Low-level radioactive waste' or `waste' means 
     radioactive waste not classified as (1) high-level 
     radioactive waste, (2) transuranic waste, (3) spent nuclear 
     fuel, or (4) by-product material as defined in Section 11e. 
     (2) of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954. This definition shall 
     apply notwithstanding any declaration by the federal 
     government, a state or any regulatory agency that any 
     radioactive material is exempt from any regulatory 
     control.''.
       (3) Section (q) of article II of the compact is amended to 
     read as follows:
       ``q) `Regional facility' means any facility as defined in 
     Article II(f) that is (1) located within the region, and (2) 
     established by a party state pursuant to designation of that 
     state as a host state by the Commission.''.
       (4) Sections (a) and (b) of article III of the compact are 
     amended to read as follows:
       ``a) There is created the Central Midwest Interstate Low-
     Level Radioactive Waste Commission. Upon the eligible states 
     becoming party states, the Commission shall consist of two 
     voting Commissioners from each state eligible to be 
     designated a host state under Article VI(b), one voting 
     Commissioner from any other party state, and for each 
     regional facility, one non-voting Commissioner who is an 
     elected official of local government and a resident of the 
     county where that regional facility is located. The Governor 
     of each party state shall notify the Commission in writing of 
     its Commissioners and any alternates.
       ``b) Each voting Commissioner is entitled to one vote. No 
     action of the Commission is binding unless a majority of the 
     voting membership casts its vote in the affirmative. In 
     addition, no agreement by the Commission under Article 
     III(i)(1), Article III(i)(2), or Article III(i)(3) is valid 
     unless all voting Commissioners from the party state in which 
     the facility where waste would be sent is located cast their 
     votes in the affirmative.''.
       (5) Sections (d) and (e) of article III of the compact are 
     amended to read as follows:
       ``d) The Commission shall meet at least once annually and 
     shall also meet upon the call of any voting Commissioner.
       ``e) All meetings of the Commission and its designated 
     committees shall be open to the public with reasonable 
     advance notice. The Commission may, by majority vote, close a 
     meeting to the public for the purpose of considering 
     sensitive personnel or legal strategy matters. However, all 
     Commission actions and decisions shall be made in open 
     meetings and appropriately recorded. A roll call may be 
     required upon request of any voting Commissioner.''.
       (6) Section (g) of article III of the compact is amended to 
     read as follows:
       ``g) The Office of the Commission shall be in Illinois. The 
     Commission may appoint or contract for and compensate such 
     staff necessary to carry out its duties and functions. The 
     staff shall serve at the Commission's pleasure with the 
     exception that staff hired as the result of securing federal 
     funds shall be hired and governed under applicable federal 
     statutes and regulations. In selecting any staff, the 
     Commission shall assure that the staff has adequate 
     experience and formal training to carry out the functions 
     assigned to it by the Commission.''.
       (7) Sections (i) and (j) of article III of the compact are 
     amended to read as follows:
       ``i) The Commission may:
       ``1) Enter into an agreement with any person to allow waste 
     from outside the region to be disposed of at facilities in 
     the region. However, no such agreement shall be effective 
     unless and until ratified by a law enacted by the party state 
     to which the waste would be sent for disposal.
       ``2) Enter into an agreement with any person to allow waste 
     described in Article VII(a)(6) to be treated, stored, or 
     disposed of at regional facilities. However, no such 
     agreement shall be effective unless and until ratified by a 
     law enacted by the host state of the regional facility to 
     which the waste would be sent for treatment, storage, or 
     disposal.
       ``3) Enter into an agreement with any person to allow waste 
     from outside the region to be treated or stored at facilities 
     in the region. However, any such agreement shall be revoked 
     as a matter of law if, within one year of the effective date 
     of the agreement, a law is enacted ordering such revocation 
     by the party state to which the waste would be sent for 
     treatment or storage.
       ``4) Approve, or enter into an agreement with any person 
     for, the export of waste from the region.
       ``5) Approve the disposal of waste generated within the 
     region at a facility in the region other than a regional 
     facility, subject to the limitations of Articles V(f) and 
     VII(a)(6).
       ``6) Require that waste generated within the region be 
     treated or stored at available regional facilities, subject 
     to the limitations of Articles V(f), VII(a)(3) and VII(a)(6).
       ``7) Appear as an intervenor or party in interest before 
     any court of law or any federal, state or local agency, board 
     or commission in any matter related to waste management. In 
     order to represent its views, the Commission may arrange for 
     any expert testimony, reports, evidence or other 
     participation.
       ``8) Review the emergency closure of a regional facility, 
     determine the appropriateness of that closure, and take 
     whatever actions are necessary to ensure that the interests 
     of the region are protected, provided that a party state with 
     a total volume of waste recorded on low-level radioactive 
     waste manifests for any year that is less than 10 percent of 
     the total volume recorded on such manifests for the region 
     during the same year shall not be designated a host state or 
     be required to store the region's waste. In determining the 
     10 percent exclusion, there shall not be included waste 
     recorded on low-level radioactive waste manifests by a person 
     whose principal business is providing a service by arranging 
     for the collection, transportation, treatment, storage or 
     disposal of such waste.
       ``9) Take any action which is appropriate and necessary to 
     perform its duties and functions as provided in this compact.
       ``10) Suspend the privileges or revoke the membership of a 
     party state.
       ``j) The Commission shall:
       ``1) Submit within 10 days of its execution to the governor 
     and the appropriate officers of the legislative body of the 
     party state in which any affected facility is located a copy 
     of any agreement entered into by the Commission under Article 
     III(i)(1), Article III(i)(2) or Article III(i)(3).
       ``2) Submit an annual report to, and otherwise communicate 
     with, the governors and the appropriate officers of the 
     legislative bodies of the party states regarding the 
     activities of the Commission. The annual report shall include 
     a description of the status of the activities taken pursuant 
     to any agreement entered into by the Commission under Article 
     III(i)(1), Article III(i)(2) or Article III(i)(3) and any 
     violation of any provision thereof, and a description of the 
     source, volume, activity, and current status of any waste 
     from outside the region or waste described under Article 
     VII(a)(6) that was treated, stored, or disposed of in the 
     region in the previous year.
       ``3) Hear, negotiate, and, as necessary, resolve by final 
     decision disputes which may arise between the party states 
     regarding this compact.
       ``4) Adopt and amend, as appropriate, a regional management 
     plan that plans for the establishment of needed regional 
     facilities.
       ``5) Adopt an annual budget.''.
       (8) Sections (o) and (p) of article III of the compact are 
     amended to read as follows:
       ``o) The Commission is a legal entity separate and distinct 
     from the party states and is liable for its actions as a 
     separate and distinct legal entity. Commissioners are not 
     personally liable for actions taken by them in their official 
     capacity.
       ``p) Except as provided under Article III(n), Article 
     III(o), Article VI(p) and Article VI(q), nothing in this 
     compact alters liability for any action, omission, course of 
     conduct or liability resulting from any causal or other 
     relationships.''.
       (9) Sections (b) and (c) of article V of the compact are 
     amended to read as follows:
       ``b) Other than the provisions of Article V(f) and 
     VII(a)(6), each party state has the right to have all wastes 
     generated within borders managed at regional facilities. This 
     right shall be subject to the provisions of this Compact. All 
     party states have an equal right of access to any facility 
     outside the region made available to the region by any 
     agreement entered into by the Commission pursuant to Article 
     III(i)(4).
       ``c) Party states or generators may negotiate for the right 
     of access to a facility outside the region and may export 
     waste outside the region subject to Commission approval under 
     Article III(i)(4).''.
       (10) Section (f) of article V of the compact is amended to 
     read as follows:
       ``f) Waste originating from the Maxey Flats nuclear waste 
     disposal site in Fleming County, Kentucky shall not be 
     shipped to any facility in Illinois for storage, treatment or 
     disposal. Disposition of these wastes shall be the sole 
     responsibility of the Commonwealth of Kentucky and such waste 
     shall not be subject to the provisions of Articles IX(b)(3) 
     and (4) of this compact.''.
       (11) Section (b) of article VI of the compact is amended to 
     read as follows:
       ``b) If all regional facilities required by the regional 
     management plan are not developed pursuant to Article VI(a), 
     or upon notification that an existing regional facility will 
     be closed, the Commission may designate a party state as a 
     host state. A party state shall not be designated as a host 
     state for any regional facility under this Article VI(b) 
     unless that state's total volume of waste recorded on low-
     level radioactive waste manifests for any year is more than 
     10% of the total volume recorded on such manifests for the 
     region during the same year. In determining the 10% 
     exclusion, there shall not be included waste recorded on low-
     level radioactive waste manifests by a person whose principal 
     business is providing a service by arranging for the 
     collection, transportation, treatment, storage or disposal of 
     such waste, or waste described in Article VII(a)(6).''.
       (12) Section (c) of article VI of the compact is repealed.
       (13) Section (e) of article VI of the compact is amended to 
     read as follows:
       ``e) Any party state designated as a host state may request 
     the Commission to relieve that state of the responsibility to 
     serve as a host state. The Commission may relieve a party 
     state of this responsibility upon a showing by the requesting 
     party state that no feasible potential regional facility site 
     of the type it is designated to host exists within its 
     borders or for other good cause shown and consistent with the 
     purposes of this Compact.''.
       (14) Sections (l) and (m) of article VI of the compact are 
     amended to read as follows:
       ``l) A host state intending to close a regional facility 
     located within its borders shall notify the Commission in 
     writing of its intention and the reasons. Notification shall 
     be given to the Commission at least five years prior to the 
     intended date of closure. This Section shall not prevent an 
     emergency closing of a regional facility by a host state to 
     protect its air, land and water resources and the health and 
     safety of its citizens. However, a host state which has an 
     emergency closing of a regional facility shall notify the 
     Commission in writing within 3 working days of its action and 
     shall, within 30 working days of its action, demonstrate 
     justification for the closing.
       ``m) If a regional facility closes before an additional or 
     new facility becomes operational, waste generated within the 
     region may be shipped temporarily to any location agreed on 
     by the Commission until a regional facility is operational, 
     provided that the region's waste shall not be stored in a 
     party state with a total volume of waste recorded on low-
     level radioactive waste manifests for any year which is less 
     than 10% of the total volume recorded on the manifests for 
     the region during the same year. In determining the 10% 
     exclusion, there shall not be included waste recorded on low-
     level radioactive waste manifests by a person whose principal 
     business is providing a service by arranging for the 
     collection, transportation, treatment, storage or disposal of 
     such waste, or waste described in Article VII(a)(6).''.
       (15) Sections (o) through (q) of article VI of the compact 
     are amended to read as follows:
       ``o) The host state shall create an `Extended Care and 
     Long-Term Liability Fund' and shall allocate sufficient fee 
     revenues, received pursuant to Article VI(i), to provide for 
     the costs of:
       ``1) decommissioning and other procedures required for the 
     proper closure of a regional facility;
       ``2) monitoring, inspection and other procedures required 
     for the proper extended care of a regional facility;
       ``3) undertaking any corrective action or clean-up 
     necessary to protect human health and the environment from 
     radioactive releases from a regional facility; and
       ``4) compensating any person for medical and other expenses 
     incurred from damages to human health, personal injuries 
     suffered from damages to human health and damages or losses 
     to real or personal property, and accomplishing any necessary 
     corrective action or clean-up on real or personal property 
     caused by radioactive releases from a regional facility; the 
     host state may allocate monies in this Fund in amounts as it 
     deems appropriate to purchase insurance or to make other 
     similar financial protection arrangements consistent with the 
     purposes of this Fund; this Article VI(n) shall in no manner 
     limit the financial responsibilities of the site operator 
     under Article VI(o), the party states under Article VI(p), or 
     any person who sends waste to a regional facility, under 
     Article VI(q).
       ``p) The operator of a regional facility shall purchase an 
     amount of property and third-party liability insurance deemed 
     appropriate by the host state, pay the necessary periodic 
     premiums at all times and make periodic payments to the 
     Extended Care and Long-Term Liability Fund as set forth in 
     Article VI(n) for such amounts as the host state reasonably 
     determines is necessary to provide for future premiums to 
     continue such insurance coverage, in order to pay the costs 
     of compensating any person for medical and other expenses 
     incurred from damages to human health, personal injuries 
     suffered from damages to human health and damages or losses 
     to real or personal property, and accomplishing any necessary 
     corrective action or clean-up on real or personal property 
     caused by radioactive releases from a regional facility. In 
     the event of such costs resulting from radioactive releases 
     from a regional facility, the host state should, to the 
     maximum extent possible, seek to obtain monies from such 
     insurance prior to using monies from the Extended Care and 
     Long-Term Liability Fund.
       ``q) All party states shall be liable for the cost of 
     extended care and long-term liability in excess of monies 
     available from the Extended Care and Long-Term Liability 
     Fund, as set forth in Article VI(n) and from the property and 
     third-party liability insurance as set forth in Article 
     VI(o). A party state may meet such liability for costs by 
     levying surcharges upon generators located in the party 
     state. The extent of such liability shall be based on the 
     proportionate share of the total volume of waste placed in 
     the regional facility by generators located in each such 
     party state. Such liability shall be joint and several among 
     the party states with a right of contribution between the 
     party states. However, this Section shall not apply to a 
     party state with a total volume of waste recorded on low-
     level radioactive waste manifests for any year that is less 
     than 10% of the total volume recorded on such manifests for 
     the region during the same year.''.
       (16) Sections (d) through (q) of article VI of the compact 
     are redesignated as sections (c) through (p), respectively.
       (17) Article VI of the compact is amended by adding at the 
     end the following new section:
       ``q) Any person who sends waste from outside the region or 
     waste described in Article VII(a)(6) for treatment, storage 
     or disposal at a regional facility shall be liable for the 
     cost of extended care and long-term liability of that 
     regional facility in excess of the monies available from the 
     Extended Care and Long-Term Liability Fund as set forth in 
     Article VI(n) and from the property and third-party liability 
     insurance as set forth in Article VI(o). The extent of the 
     liability for the person shall be based on the proportionate 
     share of the total volume of waste sent by that person to the 
     regional facility.''.
       (18) Section (a)(6) of article VII of the compact is 
     amended to read as follows:
       ``6) establishes any right to the treatment, storage or 
     disposal at any facility in the region or provides any 
     authority to prohibit export from the region of waste that is 
     owned or generated by the United States Department of Energy, 
     owned or generated by the United States Navy as a result of 
     the decommissioning of vessels of the United States Navy, or 
     owned or generated as the result of any research, 
     development, testing or production of any atomic weapon; 
     or''.
       (19) Section (d) of article VII of the compact is amended 
     to read as follows:
       ``d) No person who provides a service by arranging for 
     collection, transportation, treatment, storage or disposal of 
     waste from outside the region shall be allowed to dispose of 
     any waste, regardless of origin, in the region unless 
     specifically permitted under an agreement entered into by the 
     Commission in accordance with the requirements of Article 
     III(i)(1).''.
       (20) Section (c) of article VIII of the compact is amended 
     to read as follows:
       ``c) The Commission is formed upon the appointment of the 
     Commissioners and the tender of the membership fee payable to 
     the Commission by the eligible states. The Governor of 
     Illinois shall convene the initial meeting of the Commission. 
     The Commission shall cause legislation to be introduced in 
     the Congress which grants the consent of the Congress to this 
     compact, and shall take action necessary to organize the 
     Commission and implement the provisions of this compact.''.
       (21) Section (e) of article VIII of the compact is amended 
     to read as follows:
       ``e) This compact becomes effective July 1, 1984, or at any 
     date subsequent to July 1, 1984, upon enactment by the 
     eligible states. However, Article IX(b) shall not take effect 
     until the Congress has by law consented to this compact. The 
     Congress shall have an opportunity to withdraw such consent 
     every 5 years. Failure of the Congress affirmatively to 
     withdraw its consent has the effect of renewing consent for 
     an additional 5 year period. The consent given to this 
     compact by the Congress shall extend to the power of the 
     region to ban the shipment of waste into the region pursuant 
     to Article III(i)(1) and to prohibit exportation of waste 
     generated within the region under Article III(i)(4).''.
       (22) Section (b) of article IX of the compact is amended to 
     read as follows:
       ``b) Unless authorized by the Commission pursuant to 
     Article III(i), or otherwise provided in this compact, after 
     January 1, 1986 it is a violation of this compact:
       ``1) for any person to deposit at a facility in the region 
     waste from outside the region;
       ``2) for any facility in the region to accept waste from 
     outside the region;
       ``3) for any person to export from the region waste that is 
     generated within the region;
       ``4) for any person to dispose of waste at a facility other 
     than a regional facility;
       ``5) for any person to deposit at a regional facility waste 
     described in Article VII(a)(6); or
       ``6) for any regional facility to accept waste described in 
     Article VII(a)(6).''.
       (23) Article IX of the compact is amended by redesignating 
     sections (c) and (d) as sections (d) and (e), respectively, 
     and by inserting after section (b) the following new section:
       ``c) It is a violation of this compact for any person to 
     treat or store waste at a facility other than a regional 
     facility if such treatment or storage is prohibited by the 
     Commission under Article III(i)(6).''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California [Mr. Lehman] will be recognized for 20 minutes, and the 
gentleman from Wyoming [Mr. Thomas] will be recognized for 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California [Mr. Lehman].


                             general leave

  Mr. LEHMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on 
the bill being considered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. LEHMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. 
The purpose of H.R. 4814 is to grant the consent of Congress to 
amendments to the central midwest interstate low-level radioactive 
waste compact. These amendments have been approved by the legislatures 
of Illinois and Kentucky pursuant to the Low Level Radioactive Waste 
Policy Act.
  The act makes States responsible for disposal of low-level 
radioactive wastes generated within their borders, and encourages them 
to form interstate compacts to discharge their responsibilities on a 
regional basis. The central midwest compact between Illinois and 
Kentucky was initially consented to by Congress in 1985.
  The States are seeking these changes to comport with the 1985 
amendments to the Low-Level Waste Act, and to address other issues that 
have arisen in their implementation of the program over the years.
  The committee adopted an amendment that made three technical changes 
to the enacting provisions of the bill. The important change added a 
new section to the bill that adds to the implementing language of the 
bill the same conditions of congressional consent which were included 
in the initial grant of congressional consent to the compact, and to 
each of the other eight compacts that have been approved since 1985.
  These conditions provide that the consent of Congress becomes 
effective on the date of enactment, is granted subject to the 
provisions of the Low Level Waste Act, and is granted only for so long 
as the compact commission complies with all of the provisions of the 
act.
  This change is not substantive, as the conditions from the original 
consent should be considered to apply to these amendments, as well. The 
language is added simply to give some comfort to NRC and industry 
observers who have expressed concerns that the compact is asserting 
authorities over waste treatment and storage that go beyond those 
contemplated in the Low-Level Waste Act. On their face, we don't think 
the questioned provisions go too far, but we want to make it clear that 
their application can be judged by courts for their consistency with 
the act.

  Progress in developing new disposal facilities under the low-level 
waste program has been disappointing. No new disposal facilities were 
opened by January 1, 1993, as the act required. Currently, due to the 
authority the act gives compacts to exclude waste from outside their 
regions, low-level waste generators in 31 States have no access to any 
disposal facilities.
  However, some States and compacts--including the central midwest 
compact--have worked diligently to develop new facilities, and are 
making slow progress. It is hoped that several new facilities will be 
opened in the next few years.
  Unfortunately, there are also some States that are not seriously 
seeking to discharge their responsibilities under the act. Some 
apparently hope that Congress will reopen the act and get them off the 
hook. Enactment of H.R. 4814 will send an important message to the 
States and compacts that Congress remains committed to this program.
  As amended, this bill is not controversial. I urge its passage.

                              {time}  2000

  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. THOMAS of Wyoming. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, this is a good bill and an important one. Adoption of it 
shows that the Congress is serious in its continuing effort to ensure 
that the process started by the 1985 Low Level Waste Policy Act will 
continue. In particular, it highlights the right way for Congress to 
deal with the issue of radioactive waste disposal: Allowing the States 
to control how that waste should be disposed of. I would also like to 
commend Mrs. Vucanovich for her efforts on this bill.
  Mr. SHARP. Mr. Speaker, I am happy to support H.R. 4814, the Central 
Midwest interstate low-Level Radioactive Waste Compact Amendments 
Consent Act of 1993, on behalf of the Committee on Natural Resources. I 
also ask that the statement of Mr. Lehman, who shepherded the bill 
through that committee, be included in the Record.
  Pursuant to the Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Act, States are 
responsible for disposal of low-level radioactive waste generated 
within their borders. In order to encourage States to take 
responsibility for their own waste, the act provided that States which 
joined interstate compacts could seek the approval of Congress to 
exclude waste generated outside their borders.
  To date, Congress has given its approval to nine low-level waste 
compacts. While progress under the act has been slower than many of us 
would have liked, it nonetheless is significant that the 42 States 
belonging to these compacts are making progress toward developing new 
disposal sites. One State has already received a license to begin 
construction, and several other intend to submit license applications 
soon.
  Since Congress first approved the Central Midwest Compact in 1985, 
the legislatures of the two member States, Illinois and Kentucky, have 
ratified several amendments designed to resolve implementation problems 
that have since arisen. H.R. 4814 gives congressional approval to these 
compact amendments, and thereby allows the member States to go forward.
  I am aware that, at the State level, there has been considerable 
controversy and delay in the process of identifying appropriate sites 
for new disposal facilities. Without exception, these controversies 
fall within the authorities reserved under the act to States and 
compacts. Thus, while I appreciate that there are many important 
questions about where to site new disposal facilities, and how to make 
them economical, I note that under the act, these are matters for the 
various States and compacts to resolve.
  By the same token, however, when States have fulfilled their 
responsibilities under the Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Act, I 
believe that it is important that Congress act promptly to approve the 
resulting compact agreements.
  In that spirit, I am pleased to offer my support for passage of H.R. 
4814, and urge my colleagues to support it as well.
  Mr. MOORHEAD. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4814, the 
Central Midwest Interstate Low-Level Radioactive Waste Compact 
Amendments Consent Act of 1993.
  When the Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Act was passed, the 
States requested, and received, responsibility for disposing of low-
level waste generated within their borders. In that act, Congress 
encouraged States to enter into compacts with other States to site and 
build joint disposal facilities. I would like to commend the States of 
Illinois and Kentucky for working together under the central midwest 
compact to undertake this difficult task.
  We are all aware that the siting and operation of facilities such as 
these is never easy. However, under the act, these are issues for the 
States to resolve. Our responsibility is to ensure that the process 
established in the act works as smoothly as possible. To do this, 
Congress must address only the issues before it and avoid interfering 
with matters that have been placed within State authority.
  The States of Illinois and Kentucky are doing their part to comply 
with the requirements of the Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Act. I 
urge my fellow Members to reward these States with prompt approval of 
the amendments to their compact. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
  Mr. THOMAS of Wyoming.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. LEHMAN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. DeFazio) The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from California [Mr. Lehman] that the House 
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 4814, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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