Nuclear Waste Administration Act of 2012

Summary

Nuclear Waste Administration Act of 2012 - Establishes as an independent agency in the executive branch: (1) the Nuclear Waste Administration (NWA) to provide for the permanent disposal of nuclear waste, including the siting, construction, and operation of additional repositories, a test and evaluation facility, and additional storage facilities; and (2) the Nuclear Waste Oversight Board. Transfers to the NWA Administrator specified functions of the Secretary of Energy. Prescribes guidelines for nuclear waste facilities and for the identification and suitability of candidate sites. Directs the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to adopt generally applicable standards to protect the environment from offsite releases from radioactive material in geological repositories. Directs the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to amend its regulations governing the licensing of geological repositories to make them consistent with comparable EPA standards. Prohibits the Administrator, before ratification of a consent agreement with a state, local, or tribal government, from possessing, taking title to, or storing more than 10,000 metric tons of spent nuclear repository fuel at a storage facility licensed under this Act. Requires the Secretary to arrange for the Administrator to dispose of defense wastes in a repository developed under this Act. Confers upon the Administrator responsibility for transporting nuclear waste under this Act. Establishes in the Treasury the Nuclear Waste Administration Working Capital Fund. Amends the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 to reflect the amendments made by this Act. Authorizes the Administrator to proceed with siting and licensing consolidated storage facilities pursuant to a certain cooperative agreement entered into before the date of enactment of this Act. Terminates those authorities of the Secretary regarding siting, construction, and operation of repositories, storage facilities, or test and evaluation facilities which were not transferred to the Administrator under this Act.

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Timeline

1. 1 August 2012

   Introduced

   Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (text of measure as introduced: CR S5874-5880)

   Source: IntroReferral

2. 1 August 2012

   Introduced

   Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5873-5874)

   Source: IntroReferral

3. 1 August 2012

   Introduced

   Introduced in Senate

   Source: IntroReferral

4. 12 September 2012

   Committee

   Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 112-598.

   Source: Committee

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

• Introduced in Senate · 1 August 2012 · Official file

Documents

3 official files

• Introduced in Senate (text)

  Introduced in Senate · EN · 1 August 2012

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in Senate (PDF)

  Introduced in Senate · EN · 1 August 2012

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in Senate

  summary · EN · 1 August 2012

  Open at official source

Sponsors

• Sen. Bingaman, Jeff [D-NM] · D · Sponsor
• · sseg00 · Standing

Related records

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