[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 199 (Thursday, December 14, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S18662-S18663]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

       By Mr. GRAMS:
  S. 1478. A bill to facilitate the ability of a private consortium to 
site, design, license, construct, operate, and decommission a private 
facility for the interim storage of commercial spent nuclear fuel, 
subject to licensing by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, to authorize 
the Secretary of Energy to contract with the consortium for storage 
services, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and 
Natural Resources.


      THE PRIVATE INTERIM STORAGE FACILITY AUTHORIZING ACT OF 1995

 Mr. GRAMS. Mr. President, on the heels of today's Senate 
Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing on legislation to amend 
the Nuclear Waste Policy Act, I am introducing legislation to privatize 
the Federal spent fuel interim storage program. It is my understanding 
that the House plans to act on similar legislation before the Christmas 
recess. Today's hearing, coupled with the introduction of my bill 
should provide the impetus for timely action in the full Senate.
  When the Energy Committee held a hearing on various nuclear waste 
policy proposals earlier this year, all of our witnesses agreed that 
the ``1998'' date is critical in this debate. With 1996 only a few 
weeks away, the deadline is rapidly approaching and we are no closer to 
resolving this issue than the last time Congress enacted nuclear waste 
legislation [1987].
  But it is not like we haven't seen this deadline coming. For 16 
years, the Department of Energy has been charged with the 
responsibility of our civilian spent fuel. In that time, DOE has spent 
nearly $5 billion of ratepayers' money--including over $250 million 
from Minnesota's electric customers. And yet here we sit, debating the 
issue of exactly what to do with America's civilian nuclear waste.
  But the Department of Energy just continues to go round in circles. 
First, they said we can store waste at Yucca Mountain; then they tell 
us we can't force it on Nevada. Then DOE says they can't meet the 1998 
deadline--and even claim they aren't legally bound to do so; then they 
tell us they can, if only Congress would ``untie'' their hands. The 
latest was that an interim facility couldn't be complete for 7 years at 
a cost of nearly $400 million; then their testimony says it could be 

[[Page S18663]]
done in 4 at a third of the cost. It is hard to tell what is truth and 
what is fiction for the DOE anymore. It is my hope that today's hearing 
will help us find out.
  For the past few months, I have met with and carefully reviewed 
reports and studies by the General Accounting Office, independent 
groups, former DOE employees, and even former Energy Secretary Watkins 
on this issue. I found there is strong support for removing the 
civilian waste program from DOE--and that support grows even stronger 
when we focus specifically on privatizing the interim storage program.
  After years of working on this issue with Minnesota's ratepayers, 
utilities and State officials, I am convinced that privatizing the 
interim storage program remains our last, best hope for getting waste 
out of Minnesota and the other 30 plus States which are struggling with 
this issue.
  Later today, I will be introducing the Private Interim Storage 
Facility Authorizing Act of 1995. My legislation targets one small--but 
key--component of the overall Federal nuclear waste program.
  Privatizing the interim waste storage program offers three key 
benefits--it saves money, it provides relief to States such as 
Minnesota that are faced with on-site storage restrictions, and it 
protects the environment.
  And as with most initiatives, privatizing the interim storage program 
would improve efficiency and lower costs to the taxpayers. Based upon 
the business plan for the Mescalero private initiative, a private 
interim facility could be completed for approximately $135 million and 
done in time to meet the 1998 deadline.
  That is hundreds of millions of dollars less than what the Office of 
Civilian Radioactive Waste Management originally quoted earlier this 
summer. And while DOE has revised its estimates downward in recent 
weeks, it is only because of the undisputable cost data for the 
Mescalero project.
  Competition always reduces costs, particularly when it is with the 
Federal Government--the Mescalero project is proof of that. With the 
Mescalero initiative moving forward while congressional action has 
stalled--some have asked if this venture could resolve the interim 
issue. The short answer would be ``yes,'' in fact, 20 utilities are now 
participating in this private venture.
  But Congress and the DOE have the legal responsibility to resolve 
this issue. And we have the responsibility of ensuring it is done by 
1998.
  Mr. President, I believe focusing on the interim storage 
privatization not only represents a workable option, but it also 
provides a ``win-win'' for ratepayers, for States, and for the 
environment. Therefore, I would encourage my colleagues to join with me 
in cosponsoring the Private Interim Storage Facility Authorizing Act of 
1995.
                                 ______