Source: http://midwestcompact.org/tag/texas-low-level-radioactive-waste-disposal-compact-commission/
Timestamp: 2019-04-18 11:04:36+00:00

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On October 11, 2018, the Texas Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Compact Commission (Texas Compact Commission) held a regularly scheduled meeting in Manchester, Vermont. Interested stakeholders were able to participate on the campus of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) in Austin, Texas. No member of the Commission was present at the Austin location.
On August 24, 2018, it was announced that Texas Governor Greg Abbott has reappointed John Salsman and appointed Lisa Edwards to the Texas Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Compact Commission for terms to expire on September 1, 2023. The Texas Compact Commission manages the disposition of low-level radioactive waste, while maintaining the health, safety and welfare of citizens.
John Salsman is the Director of the Environmental Health and Safety Department at the University of Texas at Austin. He is a member of the Health Physics Society (HPS) and the American Academy of Health Physics. Salsman received a Bachelor of Science in radiation protection engineering and a Master of Science in Nuclear Engineering from Texas A&M University. He lives in of Driftwood, Texas.
Lisa Edwards is a Senior Program Manager of Chemistry, Radiation Safety, and High-Level Radioactive Waste at the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI). Edwards received a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry from Cornell College. She lives in Granbury, Texas.
The Texas Compact Commission meets several times per year in both Texas and Vermont. The Texas Compact Commission may meet in closed session as authorized by the Texas Open Meetings Act, Chapter 551, Texas Government Code. Texas Compact Commission meetings are open to the public.
The Texas Compact Commission is next scheduled to meet in Manchester, Vermont on October 11, 2018.
On May 17, 2018, the Texas Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Compact Commission (Texas Compact Commission) held a regularly scheduled meeting in Austin, Texas. The meeting began at 9:30 a.m. CDT. It was held in Room E1.028 at the Texas Capitol, which is located at 1100 Congress Avenue in Austin, Texas.
In particular, the Texas Compact Commission adopted a new §675.24 titled, “Requirement to Report on the Importation of Certain Low-Level Radioactive Waste for Management or Disposal that is not Required to be Disposed of in the Compact Facility.” The final rule incorporates changes to the text as originally published in the Texas Register on November 3, 2017. (See 42 Texas Register 6,123 dated November 3, 217).
Copies of the proposed rule can be obtained from the Texas Compact Commission’s website at http://www.tllrwdcc.org/rules/.
In order to fulfill its responsibilities with respect to 42 United States Code §§2021(b) – 2021(j) and the Texas Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Compact §3.04(9) and §3.05(6), as set out in Texas Health and Safety Code (THSC), Chapter 403, the Texas Compact Commission has determined that it is in the public interest to gather information regarding low-level radioactive waste that enters the host state irrespective of whether it requires an agreement for importation for disposal at the Compact Facility.
Pursuant to the Commission’s authority set out in THSC §403.006, the Commission adopts a new §675.24 to facilitate the gathering of that information by way of reporting requirements after the entry of the low-level radioactive waste into the state rather than requiring approval for the importation of certain categories of low-level radioactive waste into the host state.
added language to note that new entrants that import waste into the host state must enter into an agreement with a reporting requirement within 30 days of commencement of operations.
The public comment period on the proposed new rule opened on November 3, 2017 and closed at midnight on December 8, 2017. On January 29, 2015, the Rules Committee of the Texas Compact Commission conducted a meeting to consider comments on the proposed rule in the Office of the Attorney General of Texas.
During the public comment period, the Commission received written comments from EnergySolutions, Nuclear Sources & Services (NSSI), and Waste Control Specialists LLC (WCS). EnergySolutions supports adoption of the rule. WCS does not oppose adoption of the rule. NSSI believes the rule is inapplicable to its operations based on other law.
A new §675.24 is adopted pursuant to Public Law 105-236 and the Texas Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Compact as set out in THSC Chapter 403.
Texas Compact §3.05(4) grants the Texas Compact Commission the rulemaking authority to carry out the terms of the Texas Compact.
Texas Compact §3.04(9) authorizes the Texas Compact Commission to assemble and make public information concerning low-level radioactive waste management needs, technologies and problems.
Texas Compact §3.05(6) authorizes the Texas Compact Commission to enter into agreements regarding the management and disposal of low-level radioactive waste.
The Texas Compact Commission interprets the foregoing provisions as authority to require reporting of information on NCFW. A new §675.24 will further the public interest by gathering and monitoring information regarding low-level radioactive waste that enters the host state irrespective of whether it requires an agreement for importation for disposal at the Compact Facility.
On November 3, 2017, the Texas Compact Commission published a proposed rule regarding the management of low-level radioactive waste within the Texas Compact in the Texas Register. (See LLW Notes, November/December 2017, pp. 11-13.) Comments on the proposed rule were due no later than the close of business on December 8, 2017.
The proposed new §675.24 related to a requirement to report on the importation of certain low-level radioactive waste for management or disposal that is not required to be disposed in the Texas Compact Facility. In order to fulfill its responsibilities, the Texas Compact Commission determined that it is in the public interest that it gathers information regarding low-level radioactive waste that enters the host state irrespective of whether it requires an agreement for importation for disposal at the Texas Compact facility.
The proposed new §675.24 sought to facilitate the gathering of that information by the way of reporting requirements after the entry of the low-level radioactive waste into the state rather than requiring approval for the importation of certain categories of low-level radioactive waste into the host state.
For additional information, please contact Texas Compact Commission Executive Director Leigh Ing at (512) 217-8045 or at leigh.ing@tllrwdcc.org.
On November 3, 2017, the Texas Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Compact Commission (Texas Compact Commission) published a proposed rule regarding the management of low-level radioactive waste within the Texas Compact in the Texas Register. Comments on the proposed rule were due no later than the close of business on December 8, 2017.
The Texas Compact Commission is proposing a new §675.24 relating to a requirement to report on the importation of certain low-level radioactive waste for management or disposal that is not required to be disposed in the Texas Compact Facility.
In order to fulfill its responsibilities with respect to 42 United States Code, §§2021(b) – 2021(j) and §3.04(9) and §3.05(6) of the Texas Compact as set out in Texas Health and Safety Code (THSC) §403.006, the Texas Compact Commission has determined that it is in the public interest that it gather information regarding low-level radioactive waste that enters the host state irrespective of whether it requires an agreement for importation for disposal at the Texas Compact facility.
Proposed new §675.24 seeks to facilitate the gathering of that information by the way of reporting requirements after the entry of the low-level radioactive waste into the state rather than requiring approval for the importation of certain categories of low-level radioactive waste into the host state.
675.24. Requirement to Report on the Importation of Certain Low- Level Radioactive Waste for Management or Disposal that is not Required to be Disposed of in the Compact Facility.
This section is applicable only in the host state.
(4) for the purposes of this section, the material described in this subsection will be referred to as Non-Compact-Facility Low- Level Radioactive Waste (“NCFW”).
(6) the date of and location of disposal of that waste.
(d) Quarterly reports must be submitted electronically on forms provided by the Commission and must be submitted before the 31st day after the end of each quarter of the Commission’s fiscal year.
(e) An entity that imports low-level radioactive waste into the host state as described in subsection (c) of this section shall have entered into an agreement with the Commission within 90 days after the effective date of this section or within such time extensions thereafter as the Commission may allow. To the maximum extent possible, each agreement entered into under this section will contain provisions identical to those in each other agreement entered into under this section.
(f) An entity that imports waste into the host state as described in subsection (c) of this section shall submit an application for entry into an agreement with the Commission electronically or on paper on a form provided by the Commission.
(g) Failure on the part of an entity that imports waste into the host state as described in subsection (c) of this section to comply with any provision of this section or the agreement entered into pursuant to subsection (d) of this section may result in the Commission reporting such failures to the host state agency that has licensed, permitted, or otherwise authorized the operation of such entities.
(2) the agreement holder has made any changes necessary to comply with additional requirements.
According to the Texas Register notice, the changes in the proposed rule are expected to increase the knowledge available to the Texas Compact Commission and the public with respect to the presence of low-level radioactive waste in the host state.
The Texas Compact Commission anticipates that businesses and individuals will have no significant additional economic costs as a result of their compliance with the proposed rule, as the new reporting requirements would require the reporting of minimal information that is already maintained by the entities required to report under the proposed new §675.24.
On November 16, 2017, the Texas Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Compact Commission (Texas Compact Commission) held a regularly scheduled meeting in Austin, Texas. It was held in Room E1.028 at the Texas Capitol, which is located at 1100 Congress Avenue in Austin, Texas.
The meeting, which began at 9:30 a.m. CDT, followed the conclusion of a one-day workshop focused on disposal options for in-compact waste generators, specifically on topics that are important to Texas generators.
On November 15, 2017, the Texas Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Compact Commission (TLLRWDCC) hosted a workshop in Austin, Texas. The workshop, which was held at the Legislative Conference Center at the Texas State Capitol, was a full-day event.
Attendance for the workshop, for which there were 70 slots available, was free.
On October 5, 2017, the Texas Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Compact Commission (Texas Compact Commission) held a regularly scheduled meeting in Montpelier, Vermont.
The meeting began at 9:30 a.m. EDT/8:30 a.m. CDT. It was held in Room 11 at the Vermont State House, which is located at 115 State Street in Montpelier Vermont.
At the spring 2017 meeting of the Low-Level Radioactive Waste Forum (LLW Forum) in Denver, Colorado on April 24-25, 2017, the Executive Director of the Texas Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Compact Commission (TLLRWDCC or Commission) provided the following information and overview related to Commission activities and operations.
The Texas Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Compact (Texas Compact) includes the State of Vermont and is not an agency of the State of Texas. The TLLRWDCC is a “legal entity separate and distinct from the party states…” The Commission must comply with its federal compact law and is charged with protecting the capacity of the compact facility for Texas and Vermont generators.
The Texas Compact does not own or operate the compact facility, which is owned by the State of Texas and operated by Waste Control Specialists (WCS). The Texas Compact does not set surcharges or charge fees of any type, nor does it determine licensing requirements or license the facility. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) licenses the compact facility and approves waste streams. The following matters are outside of the TLLRWDCC’s purview: high-level waste, transuranic waste, Greater-than-Class C waste, spent fuel storage, NORM or TENORM, site operations at the compact waste facility (TCEQ), and waste shipments (TCEQ and DSHS).
The TLLRWDCC authorizes imports and exports in alignment with Texas policy and law and ensures protection of capacity. For imports, the Commission has developed an approach based on: a policy to ensure maximum disposal of allowed curies; the need for flexibility based on the regulatory and industry hurdles generators/brokers encounter; and, a need for a fair and unbiased allocation of curie availability. The TLLRWDCC supports exports for good cause. As such, it will be conducting an analysis of exported quantities.
Given that irradiated hardware can have a significant impact on the amount of curies disposed at the compact facility, the TLLRWDCC will continue to approve import applications as it always has with the exception of irradiated hardware. Under the Commission’s policies, irradiated hardware must be submitted as a separate import application. All requests over 15,000 curies, if approved, will be issued conditionally. Once the generator submits documentation that substantiates volume, curies and shipment date, the Commission will release conditionally authorized curies, if available on a first come, first served basis. This approach has been adopted as policy that can be found on the Commission’s website.
The TLLRWDCC rules require the use of an Import Application Form—a.k.a. “Annex A.” The form is currently available as a pdf on the Commission’s website. In addition, the Export Application Form and Generator Authorization Form are also available on the website. The Commission is beginning work to automate import and export processing. This will require the import and export forms to be fillable.
Annual Reports are available at http://www.tllrwdcc.org/reports-more/. The 2016 Annual Report is more robust and includes: listing of import agreements, volume and curies; listing of export agreements; and, fees generated. Disposal numbers in volume and curies for imported waste and in-compact waste are available at http://www.tllrwdcc.org/reports-more/.
Because the Texas Compact receives funding through the State of Texas appropriation process, the status of the Compact as an agency presents confusion. The Texas Compact is with working with the legislature to provide clarification to State of Texas employees that the Texas Compact is a “legal entity separate and distinct from the party states …” During the current legislative session, two items—SB 1667 by Senator Seliger and HB 3946 by Representative Landgraf—have been filed as companion bills. SB 1667 and HB 3946 relate to the nature, funding, and functions of the TLLRWDCC.
TLLRWDCC Commissioner Linda Morris chairs a committee that is charged with drafting rules for management of low-level radioactive waste in the Texas Compact. These rules will have applicability in Vermont. The scope of the rule will likely include only reporting requirements. The rulemaking will include an informal comment period before instituting the formal process.
In September 2016, the Texas Compact conducted its first workshop in Burlington, Vermont. The workshop was geared toward Vermont generators. The Texas Compact is considering doing a similar workshop for Texas generators, particularly small generators. The compact will also consider workshops for larger generators, as may be needed.
On December 2, 2016, the Texas Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Compact Commission (Texas Compact Commission) held a regularly scheduled meeting in Austin, Texas.
The meeting began at 9:00 a.m. CDT. It was held in the Room E1.028 at the Texas State Capitol, which is located at 1100 Congress Avenue in Austin, Texas.
On April 7, 2016, the Texas Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Compact Commission (Texas Compact Commission) will hold a regularly scheduled meeting in Andrews County, Texas. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. CDT. It will be held in the Glorietta Room at the Business and Technology Center, which is located at 201 NW Ave. D in Andrews County, Texas.
There will be no live-feed available. However, the meeting will be recorded and made available on the Public Meetings page of the Texas Compact Commission’s web site at www.tllrwdcc.org.

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