ARTICLE I. POLICY AND PURPOSE

     The states party to this compact recognize that the Congress of the United States, by enacting the Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Act, as amended by the Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Amendments Act of 1985 (42 U.S.C. § 2021b to 42 U.S.C. § 2021j), has provided for and encouraged the development of low-level radioactive waste compacts as a tool for disposing of such waste. The party states acknowledge that the Congress declared that each state is responsible for providing for the availability of capacity either within or outside the state for the disposal of low-level radioactive waste generated within its borders, except for waste generated as a result of certain defense activities of the federal government or federal research and development activities. The party states also recognize that the disposal of low-level radioactive waste is handled most efficiently on a regional basis; and, that the safe and efficient management of low-level radioactive waste generated within the region requires that sufficient capacity to dispose of such waste be properly provided.

     a. It is the policy of the party states to enter into a regional low-level radioactive waste disposal compact for the purpose of:

1. Providing the instrument and framework for a cooperative effort;

2. Providing sufficient facilities for the proper disposal of low-level radioactive waste generated in the region;

3. Protecting the health and safety of the citizens of the region;

4. Limiting the number of facilities required to effectively and efficiently dispose of low-level radioactive waste generated in the region;

5. Encouraging source reduction and the environmentally sound treatment of waste that is generated to minimize the amount of waste to be disposed of;

6. Ensuring that the costs, expenses, liabilities, and obligations of low-level radioactive waste disposal are paid by generators and other persons who use compact facilities to dispose of their waste;

7. Ensuring that the obligations of low-level radioactive waste disposal that are the responsibility of the party states are shared equitably among them;

8. Ensuring that the party states that comply with the terms of this compact and fulfill their obligations under it share equitably in the benefits of the successful disposal of low-level radioactive waste; and

9. Ensuring the environmentally sound, economical, and secure disposal of low-level radioactive wastes.

     b. Implicit in the Congressional consent to this compact is the expectation by the Congress and the party states that the appropriate federal agencies will actively assist the Compact Commission and the individual party states to this compact by:

1. expeditious enforcement of federal rules, regulations and laws;

2. imposition of sanctions against those found to be in violation of federal rules, regulations and laws; and

3. timely inspection of their licensees to determine their compliance with these rules, regulations and laws.

[Pre-1996 Recodification Citation: 13-5-9-1.]

As added by P.L.1-1996, SEC.19. Amended by P.L.131-1996, SEC.2.