Federal low-level nuclear waste should not be included. Waste Control Specialists Inc. The company, which operates a hazardous waste site in Andrews County, appears favored to be the licensee. The bill dispenses with the possibility of stricter state controls being applied to federal waste. Federal policies, for example, allow burying some nuclear waste in earthen trenches. Yet Texans could be stuck with cleaning up potential messes while awaiting whatever funds the federal government proffers.
Federal cleanups are notoriously slow and inadequate.
The Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission is given too broad latitude for licensing and supervision. Citizens have rightly expressed concerns over the ability of the commission to represent the public interest. Giving the commission the authority to set limits on the quantities of waste and the selection of a licensee would place too much discretion with the agency. Citizens are not allowed sufficient input. County commissioners can approve the site location and have to call a referendum on the issue only if 20 percent of the voters petition for one.