Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1996

Summary

Amends the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 to revise and rename it the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1995. Instructs the Secretary of Energy (the Secretary) to: (1) develop and operate a repository for the permanent geologic disposal of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste; (2) accept spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste by no later than January 31, 1998, at facilities designated pursuant to certain interim storage facility contracts; (3) provide for the transportation of such wastes (including procuring all systems and components necessary to transport such fuel and waste among facilities comprising the Integrated Management System established by this Act); and (4) pursue expeditiously the development of each component of the integrated management system. Establishes an integrated management system for spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste, including its storage, transportation, and disposal. Prescribes guidelines under which the Secretary is charged with the development and operation of a rail spur originating in Lincoln County, Nevada, and terminating at the interim storage facility site. Provides for intermodal transfer pending direct rail access. Sets a deadline by which the Secretary must develop the capability to commence rail to truck intermodal transfer at Caliente, Nevada. Requires the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Caliente and Lincoln County, Nevada, to advise the Commission regarding intermodal transfer and to facilitate on-site representation. Prescribes procedural guidelines for the availability by January 31, 1998 of: (1) railroads; (2) transportation planning and requirements; (3) interim storage facilities; (4) permanent disposal; and (5) land withdrawal. Prescribes guidelines for consultation, financial, and technical assistance between the Secretary and the State of Nevada. Instructs the Secretary to: (1) offer the State of Nevada and the affected local governmental entity an opportunity to designate an on-site oversight representative; and (2) offer to enter into separate benefits agreements with the State of Nevada and certain affected Counties concerning the integrated management system. Establishes a Review Panel to advise the Secretary on the integrated management system. Prescribes a fee schedule for electricity generated by civilian nuclear power reactors and spent nuclear fuel used to generate electricity in a civilian nuclear power reactor. Provides that payment of a one-time fee on either spent nuclear fuel used to generate electricity in a civilian nuclear power reactor, or the high- level radioactive waste derived from it, relieves the responsible party from further financial obligation to the Federal Government for its long-term storage or permanent disposal. Sets forth advance contract prerequisites for utilization or production facility license renewals under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954. 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 high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel allocable to the interim storage or permanent disposal of high-level radioactive waste from atomic energy defense activities and spent nuclear fuel foreign research reactors; and (2) advise the Congress annually of the amount of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste from atomic energy defense activities requiring management in the integrated spent nuclear fuel management system. Prescribes a prioritization scheme for the allocation of funds: (1) to components of the integrated management system; and (2) from the Nuclear Waste Fund. States that actions authorized by this Act shall be governed solely in accordance with the provisions of specified statutes. Grants the United States 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 therefor. 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 power plant personnel. Delineates an acceptance schedule for contract holders' spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste. Proscribes: (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. Continues the Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to take action as necessary 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. States that the program is not subject to civil service regulations. Abolishes the Interim Storage Fund, the Monitored Retrievable Storage Commission, the Office of Subseabed Disposal Research, and the Office of Nuclear Waste Negotiator. Requires the Secretary to present annual schedule and timeline status reports to the Congress. Directs the Secretary to: (1) create a value engineering function within the Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management; (2) employ, on an on-going basis, integrated performance modeling regarding site characterization; and (3) report an action plan (and annual updates) to the Congress regarding implementation of this Act and development of the Integrated Waste Management System.

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

Timeline

1. 25 September 1995

   Introduced

   Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

   Source: IntroReferral

2. 25 September 1995

   Introduced

   Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S14204-14205)

   Source: IntroReferral

3. 25 September 1995

   Introduced

   Introduced in Senate

   Source: IntroReferral

4. 5 December 1995

   Committee

   Committee on Energy and Natural Resources requested executive comment from Department of Energy, and Office of Management and Budget.

   Source: Committee

5. 14 December 1995

   Committee

   Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 104-402.

   Source: Committee

6. 13 March 1996

   Reported

   Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

   Source: Committee

7. 29 March 1996

   Calendars

   Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 360.

   Source: Calendars

8. 29 March 1996

   Reported

   Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported to Senate by Senator Murkowski with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 104-248. Additional views filed.

   Source: Committee

9. 29 March 1996

   Reported

   Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported to Senate by Senator Murkowski with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 104-248. Additional views filed.

   Source: Committee

10. 3 May 1996

    Introduced

    Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4663)

    Source: IntroReferral

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

• Reported to Senate · 29 March 1996 · Official file
• Introduced in Senate · 25 September 1995 · Official file

Documents

6 official files

• Reported to Senate (text)

  Reported to Senate · EN · 29 March 1996

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Reported to Senate (PDF)

  Reported to Senate · EN · 29 March 1996

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Reported to Senate with amendment(s)

  summary · EN · 29 March 1996

  Open at official source

• Introduced in Senate (text)

  Introduced in Senate · EN · 25 September 1995

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in Senate (PDF)

  Introduced in Senate · EN · 25 September 1995

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in Senate

  summary · EN · 25 September 1995

  Open at official source

Sponsors

• Rep. Craig, Larry E. [R-ID-1] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Abraham, Spencer [R-MI] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Faircloth, Lauch [R-NC] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Hollings, Ernest F. [D-SC] · D · Sponsor
• Sen. Kempthorne, Dirk [R-ID] · R · Sponsor
• Rep. Kyl, Jon [R-AZ-4] · R · Sponsor
• Rep. Cochran, Thad [R-MS-4] · R · Cosponsor
• Sen. Bond, Christopher S. [R-MO] · R · Cosponsor
• Sen. Santorum, Rick [R-PA] · R · Cosponsor
• Sen. Thurmond, Strom [R-SC] · R · Cosponsor
• Sen. Warner, John [R-VA] · R · Cosponsor
• Sen. Simpson, Alan K. [R-WY] · R · Cosponsor
• Sen. Kassebaum, Nancy Landon [R-KS] · R · Cosponsor
• Sen. Mack, Connie, III [R-FL] · R · Cosponsor
• Rep. Thomas, Craig [R-WY-At Large] · R · Cosponsor
• Rep. Pressler, Larry [R-SD-1] · R · Cosponsor
• Rep. Smith, Bob [R-NH-1] · R · Cosponsor
• Sen. Heflin, Howell [D-AL] · D · Cosponsor
• Sen. Helms, Jesse [R-NC] · R · Cosponsor
• Rep. Lott, Trent [R-MS-5] · R · Cosponsor
• Sen. Robb, Charles S. [D-VA] · D · Cosponsor
• Sen. Levin, Carl [D-MI] · D · Cosponsor
• Sen. Coverdell, Paul [R-GA] · R · Cosponsor
• Sen. Nunn, Sam [D-GA] · D · Cosponsor
• Sen. Shelby, Richard C. [D-AL] · R · Cosponsor
• Sen. Grams, Rod [R-MN] · R · Cosponsor
• Sen. Specter, Arlen [R-PA] · R · Cosponsor
• Sen. Stevens, Ted [R-AK] · R · Cosponsor
• Sen. McCain, John [R-AZ] · R · Cosponsor
• Sen. Ashcroft, John [R-MO] · R · Cosponsor
• · sseg00 · Standing

Related records

• related to ← Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1996