House Energy and Commerce Committee to hold hearing on radioactive waste disposal

The House Energy and Commerce Committee announced that the Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy will be holding a hearing on Oct. 28 regarding the transport of nuclear materials.

“We’re looking forward to an informative discussion next week 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,” Committee Chairman Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI) and Subcommittee Chairman Rep. John Shimkus (R-IL) said in a joint statement. “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 Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Act establishes national policy in relation to the disposal of low-level radioactive waste (LLRW) and it dictated that the states establish measure of disposing this material that is generated within their borders. During this hearing, committee members will be discussing and hearing testimony regarding the efficacy of this law and how interstate compacts are functioning. They will also be discussing the regulations set by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).

This hearing is set to begin at 10:15 a.m. ET in room 2322 of the Rayburn House Office Building.