An act to set forth a Federal policy for the disposal of low-level radioactive wastes, and for other purposes.

Summary

Nuclear Waste Policy Act - Title I: Findings and Purpose - Declares it to be the purpose of this Act to: (1) assume Federal responsibility for acquisition and storage of spent fuel and the disposal of radioactive waste from civilian nuclear activities; (2) establish a Federal policy for the disposal of high-level radioactive waste; (3) authorize the Secretary of Energy to acquire or design and construct facilities for nuclear waste interim storage and disposal, and finance the construction, operation and maintenance of such facilities; and (4) examine alternative technologies for nuclear waste disposal. Title II: Definitions - Defines the terms used in this Act. Title III: Interim Storage of Spent Fuel from Civilian Nuclear Powerplants - Declares it to be the policy of the Federal Government to provide, as soon as possible, an assured and predictable capacity for the interim storage of spent fuel from civilian nuclear powerplants. Requires that such policy provide for: (1) maximizing the storage of such spent fuel at each civilian nuclear powerplant site; and (2) the establishment of a federally owned and operated system for the interim storage of spent fuel at one or more away-from-reactor facilities. Directs the Secretary, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and other appropriate Federal officials to take such actions as they consider necessary to expedite the use of available storage at each civilian nuclear powerplant site consistent with specified considerations. Directs the Secretary to enter into contracts which provide that the Federal Government will: (1) take title to spent fuel from nuclear powerplants within the United States; (2) transport and store such spent fuel in Federal facilities; and (3) dispose of waste products associated with such spent fuel. Provides for a one-time payment by such electric utility in an amount adequate to cover the proportionate costs of such transportation, storage, and disposal. Authorizes the Secretary to construct or acquire at least one away-from-reactor facility for the interim storage of such spent fuel. Directs the Secretary to: (1) to contract with private industry to provide for the transportation of spent fuel; and (2) use direct Federal services for such transportation only upon a determination of the Secretary of Transportation that private industry is unable or unwilling to provide such services. Directs the Secretary to take possession of and transport to a designated storage facility any spent fuel covered by specified contracts under this Act when an interim away-from-reactor storage facility is available, within 30 days of written notice by the owner that such spent fuel is available. Requires that specified funds be available for fiscal year 1980 to construct or acquire such interim away-from-reactor storage facilities. Title IV: Disposal of High-level Radioactive Waste Resulting from Civilian Nuclear Activities - Directs the Secretary to transmit to Congress within one year from the date of enactment a proposal for a system of at least one facility for the disposal of high-level radioactive waste resulting from civilian nuclear activities. Sets forth the scope and formulation of such proposal. Disallows the consideration by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission of any alternative to the statutorily approved site selection or the design criteria. Directs the Secretary to continue and accelerate programs of: (1) research, development, and demonstration of the geologic disposal in mined repositories of high-level radioactive waste from civilian nuclear powerplants, with the objective of completion of construction and initial operation of at least one demonstration repository by January 1, 1988; and (2) research, development, and investigation of alternative technologies for the disposal of high-level radioactive waste from civilian and national defense activities. Directs the Secretary to report findings and recommendations resulting from such programs to Congress in a specified manner. Title V: Financial Arrangements - Establishes in the Treasury of the United States a separate account to provide for the operation of the interim storage and disposal program. Permits the Secretary to borrow from the Treasury such amounts as may subsequently be provided in Appropriation Acts, but not to exceed $300,000,000. Provides for the terms and repayment of such borrowings. Title VI: Low Level Waste - Directs the President to prepare and submit to Congress, within 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, a report which: (1) defines the disposal capacity needed; (2) defines and evaluates the status of all commercial low-level nuclear waste disposal sites, including those at specified locations, with recommendations for remedial actions and regulatory reforms which the Secretary considers appropriate; (3) evaluates the transportation requirements; (4) evaluates the ability of the Department of Energy to provide interim storage; (5) estimates costs of such storage; and (6) recommends additional research and development work concerning low-level waste facilities, as needed. Directs the Secretary, in relation to such report and recommendations, to consult with the Governors of the several States, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Geological Survey, the Department of Transportation, and other appropriate agencies and departments.

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Documents

5 official files

• Public Law (PDF)

  Public Law · EN · 24 December 1980

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• Senate agreed to House amendment with amendment

  summary · EN · 13 December 1980

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• Passed House amended

  summary · EN · 3 December 1980

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• Passed Senate amended

  summary · EN · 30 July 1980

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• Introduced in Senate

  summary · EN · 3 January 1980

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