Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1999

openUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

6 January 1999

Last action

2 June 1999 · Committee

Status

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 92.

Summary

Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1999 - Revises the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 to instruct the Secretary of Energy (the Secretary) to: (1) develop and operate a repository for the permanent geologic disposal of spent nuclear fuel and fuel and high-level radioactive waste; (2) accept spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste by no later than January 31, 2003 (3) provide for the transportation of such wastes; and (4) pursue expeditiously the development of each component of the integrated management system. Requires intermodal transfer (rail-to-heavy-haul-truck) of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste pending direct rail access to the interim storage facility site. Authorizes the Secretary use rail transportation to meet the requirements of this Act if direct rail access becomes available to the interim storage facility site. Sets a deadline for the Secretary to develop the capability to commence rail to truck intermodal transfer at Caliente, Nevada. Provides for heavy-haul transportation route and truck transportation. Requires the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Caliente and Lincoln County, Nevada, to provide advice to the Commission regarding intermodal transfer and to facilitate on-site representation. Provides that reasonable expenses of such representation shall be paid by the Secretary. Prescribes requirements in the following areas in order to ensure that the Secretary is able to accept spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste by January 31, 2003: (1) transportation planning and readiness; (2) package certification; (3) technical assistance and funds to jurisdictional entities for training public safety officials, nonprofit employee organizations, voluntary emergency response organizations, and joint labor-management organizations experienced in worker health and safety training; (4) employee protection and training standards applicable to workers directly involved in the removal and transportation of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste; and (5) interim storage facility, permanent disposal, and land withdrawal. Requires the Secretary, after analyzing each specific reactor facility in the order of priority established in the acceptance schedule, to develop a logistical plan to assure the Secretary's ability to transport spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste using routes that minimize transportation through populated areas to the maximum practical extent and consistent with Federal requirements for transportation of hazardous materials. Requires the Secretary of Transportation to establish preferred rail route selection procedures for such transportation to the interim storage site and the repository site. Mandates that training standards ensure the ability of emergency response personnel to protect nearby persons, property or the environment from the effects of accidents involving spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste. Instructs the Secretary to: (1) offer Nye County, Nevada, an opportunity to designate an on-site oversight representative; and (2) offer to enter into separate benefits agreements with Lincoln and Nye Counties concerning the integrated management system. Requires the Secretary to make certain initial land conveyances to Nye County. Authorizes the Secretary to grant payments in lieu of taxes to any affected Indian or local jurisdiction until the termination of the integrated management system activities. Authorizes the Secretary to contract with any person generating or holding title to spent nuclear fuel or high-level radioactive waste of domestic origin for the acceptance of title, and possession, transportation, interim storage, and disposal. Sets forth a statutory fee payment schedule for: (1) electricity generated and sold by civilian nuclear power reactors; (2) an adjustable cap placed upon nuclear waste offsetting collection fees, and upon a nuclear waste mandatory fee; and (3) a one-time fee for spent nuclear fuel or solidified high-level radioactive waste derived from spent nuclear fuel which had been used to generate electricity in specified civilian nuclear power reactors. Requires the NRC to suspend the license of any licensee who fails or refuses to pay such one-time fee. Provides that payment of the one-time fee relieves the responsible party from further financial obligation to the Federal Government for its long-term storage or permanent disposal. Authorizes the NRC to require prior agreement with the Secretary for spent fuel and waste disposal as a precondition to the issuance or renewal of a license. Continues the Nuclear Waste Fund and the Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management. Directs the Secretary to: (1) issue a final rule establishing the appropriate portion of the costs of managing spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste allocable to the interim storage or permanent disposal of spent nuclear fuel, high-level radioactive waste from atomic energy defense activities, and spent nuclear fuel from foreign research reactors; and (2) advise the Congress annually of the amount of high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel from atomic energy defense activities requiring management in the integrated spent nuclear fuel management system. Grants the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 and this Act preeminence in the event of a conflict or duplication of laws. Precludes this Act from being construed as: (1) constituting either an express or implied Federal reservation of water rights for any purpose arising under it; (2) authorizing the Federal use of eminent domain to acquire water rights; or (3) limiting the exercise of water rights as provided under Nevada State laws. Grants the U.S. courts of appeals original and exclusive jurisdiction over civil actions under this Act. Prescribes guidelines for NRC licensing hearings. Prohibits the Secretary from conducting site-specific activities for a second repository unless the Congress has specifically authorized and appropriated funds for them. Requires the NRC to promulgate regulatory guidelines for: (1) financial assurances for low-level radioactive waste site closures; and (2) training and qualification of civilian nuclear powerplant personnel. Delineates an acceptance schedule for contract holders' spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste. Prohibits: (1) subseabed or ocean water disposal of spent nuclear fuel or high-level radioactive waste; and (2) any obligation of funds for any such related activity. Expresses the sense of the Congress that to the greatest extent practicable all equipment and products purchased with funds made available under this Act should be American-made. Requires each Federal agency to give notice of this policy to any entity to which it provides financial assistance or contracts. Prohibits contracts with persons falsely labeling products as "Made in America." Continues the Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to take necessary action to improve the management of the civilian radioactive waste management program to ensure that it is operated to the maximum extent like a private business. Directs the Secretary to employ, on an on-going basis, integrated performance modeling regarding site characterization.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

6 January 1999
Introduced
Referred to the Committee on Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Resources, and Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Source: IntroReferral
6 January 1999
Introduced
Referred to the Committee on Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Resources, and Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Source: IntroReferral
6 January 1999
Introduced
Introduced in House
Source: IntroReferral
6 January 1999
Introduced
Introduced in House
Source: IntroReferral
19 January 1999
Referred
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, Hazardous Materials and Pipeline Transportation.
Source: Committee
25 January 1999
Committee
Executive Comment Requested from Interior.
Source: Committee
25 January 1999
Referred
Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands.
Source: Committee
29 January 1999
Referred
Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Power.
Source: Committee
10 February 1999
Committee
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Source: Committee
12 March 1999
Committee
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Source: Committee
14 April 1999
Vote
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 25 - 0.
Source: Committee
14 April 1999
Committee
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Source: Committee
21 April 1999
Vote
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 40 - 6.
Source: Committee
21 April 1999
Committee
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Source: Committee
20 May 1999
Introduced
Referred sequentially to the House Committee on the Budget for a period ending not later than June 2, 1999 for consideration of such provisions of the bill and amendment as fall within the jurisdiction of that committee pursuant to clause 1(e), rule X.
Source: IntroReferral
20 May 1999
Introduced
House Committee on Resources Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than June 2, 1999.
Source: IntroReferral
20 May 1999
Discharge
Committee on Transportation discharged.
Source: Discharge
20 May 1999
Committee
Committee on Transportation discharged.
Source: Committee
20 May 1999
Reported
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Commerce. H. Rept. 106-155, Part I.
Source: Committee
20 May 1999
Reported
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Commerce. H. Rept. 106-155, Part I.
Source: Committee
2 June 1999
Calendars
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 92.
Source: Calendars
2 June 1999
Discharge
Committee on Resources discharged.
Source: Discharge
2 June 1999
Committee
Committee on Resources discharged.
Source: Committee

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

Reported in House · 2 June 1999 · Download file
Introduced in House · 6 January 1999 · Download file

Documents

6 official files

Reported in House (text)

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Reported in House (text)
Reported in House · EN · 2 June 1999
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Reported in House (PDF)
Reported in House · EN · 2 June 1999
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Reported to House amended, Part I
summary · EN · 20 May 1999
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Introduced in House (text)
Introduced in House · EN · 6 January 1999
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Introduced in House (PDF)
Introduced in House · EN · 6 January 1999
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Introduced in House
summary · EN · 6 January 1999
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Related records

related to ← Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1999
related to ← Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act of 2000

Sources

PoliticalRepo is an index and interpretation layer, not the authoritative legal source.

Official source: https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/house-bill/45
Open data entity: https://api.congress.gov/v3/bill/106/hr/45
us · 106-hr-45 · source updated 7 April 2025