Hearing to examine issues tied to disposal of low-level radioactive waste

U.S. Rep. John Shimkus (R-IL), chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy, held a hearing today titled “Update on Low-Level Radioactive Waste (LLRW) Disposal Issues.”

The hearing examined issues related to the bill, which would give state governments the responsibility of managing and disposing LLRW generated within state borders.

“We’re looking forward
to an informative discussion … as we work to ensure that the Low-Level
Radioactive Waste Policy Act is working as it was intended and that any
issues related to its implementation are addressed,” Shimkus and Energy
and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) said in a statement
released prior to the hearing. “The federal government is also
responsible for the disposal of a significant amount of nuclear
materials, which requires effective planning and a disposal pathway.
Getting these answers will help provide the foundation to identify the
path forward for the permanent disposal of nuclear materials.”

The subcommittee also looked at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s regulations governing LLRW management and disposal. In addition, Department of Energy (DOE) officials testified on the agency’s disposal strategy and provide an update on the DOE’s plan to dispose of waste greater than Class C, the most hazardous LLRW level.