Ralph Hall: “I strongly support the Texas-Maine- Vermont low-level radioactive waste disposal compact. Mr. Speaker, the Low-Level…”

“I strongly support the Texas-Maine- Vermont low-level radioactive waste disposal compact. Mr. Speaker, the Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Act is a very good example of state-Federal cooperation, and approval of the compact will fulfill the congressional side of the bargain. A deal was made a long time ago, worked out between the States; a deal that was heard, debated, legislated by each of the States, signed by the governor. This is the tenth interstate compact to come up for congressional approval, and it behooves us I think to get this bill into conference and into law. In 1980, and again in 1985, Congress enacted legislation setting up a program under which the States would have primary responsibility and control over the disposal of low-level radioactive waste. This is what the States wanted. And it makes sense because so many important local activities depend on having safe and ready disposal of their low-level waste, including the 3 States that are involved. While this issue is often discussed in terms of utilities' need alone for disposal facilities, it also affects a lot of other entities. It affects hospitals, greatly affects university research programs. It affects the industry all across this land. Each of these activities utilizes low-level radioactive materials and each of them means jobs, and jobs mean dignity; and none could go forward without an assured economic option for disposal.…”