Appalachian States Low-Level
Radioactive Waste Commission

Appalachian States Low-Level
Radioactive Waste Commission
Annual Meeting

Thursday, October 31, 2013
10:00 a.m.—Noon
Harrisburg Hilton and Towers
One North Second Street
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

2012 Appalachian States Low-Level Radioactive Waste Commission
Annual Meeting Agenda (PDF)

For further information, contact the
Commission at 717-787-2163

Announcement of Availability of the
Texas Regional Facility for Disposal of Commercial
Low-Level Radioactive Waste (LLRW)

The Commission wishes to inform all Low-Level Radioactive Waste generators that a new LLRW disposal facility began accepting LLRW as of November 2011.

This new facility is located in Andrews County, Texas, and is operated by Waste Control Specialists LLC (WCS). LLRW generators located in states not part of the Texas Compact (i.e.,Texas & Vermont) must secure a contract with WCS and abide by the rules and regulations of the Texas Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Compact Commission. LLRW generators must file import petitions and receive approval prior to shipment to the Texas Regional Facility.

Generators of LLRW, and in particular those currently storing Class B & C waste, in the states of the Appalachian Compact should consider the availabilty of the Texas Regional Facility in the development of strategies for management and disposal of LLRW.

Appalachian States Low-Level Radioactive Waste Commission Chairman's letter to the generators (PDF)


Introduction

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania created the Appalachian States Low-Level Radioactive Waste Commission (Commission) by enacting the Appalachian States Low-Level Radioactive Waste Compact Act, Pennsylvania Act 1985-120. Under the authority of this act, the states of Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania formed a compact to provide for the regional management and disposal of low-level radioactive waste (LLRW) in response to federal law, Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Act of 1980 and Low-level Radioactive Waste Policy Amendment Act of 1985. Congress consented to the Appalachian States Low-Level Radioactive Waste Compact in May 1988.

The Appalachian States Low-Level Radioactive Waste Compact is made up of Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia and Pennsylvania
Administration of the Commission

The Commission currently consists of 10 members: four from Pennsylvania and two each from Delaware, Maryland and West Virginia. The governor of Pennsylvania will appoint an eleventh member from the municipality or county where the regional disposal facility is located.

The Commission became operational June 4, 1990. The Commission is required to hold an annual meeting. The chairman, a majority of the Commission members, or two Commission members from the host state can call additional meetings during the year. Since the suspension of the siting process, the Commission has only been holding annual meetings. These meetings are open to the public.

The membership of the Commission is in flux due to recent gubernatorial elections. Vacant positions on the Commission will be filled by their respective governors and the names of new Commission Members will be added when confirmed.

Duties and Powers of the Commission

The Appalachian States Low-Level Radioactive Waste Compact Act, Pennsylvania Act 1985-120, empowers the Commission to carry out certain duties, the most significant of which are as follows:

  • Conduct research and establish regulations to promote reduction in volume and curie content of LLRW generated within the region.

  • Ensure the LLRW generated within the region is safely disposed.

  • Designate "host states" to establish LLRW disposal facilities as required by the compact.

  • Prepare contingency plans for the management and disposal or LLRW if a regional disposal facility is closed or unavailable.

  • Examine all records or operators of regional disposal facilities pertaining to operating costs, profits, charges, fees or surcharges and make recommendations to the host state.

  • Provide public information concerning LLRW management and disposal needs, technologies and problems.

  • Keep current and annual inventories of all generators by name and quantity of LLRW generated within the region. Inventory information shall include volume, curie content, chemical composition and toxicity of such watse.

  • Keep an inventory of all regional facilities and specialized facilities in the nation.

  • Enter into temporary agreements with non-party states or other regional boards for the emergency disposal of the regional LLRW.

  • Publish an annual report detailing its programs, operations and finances.
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