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Division of Environmental Health > Radiation Control Program > Radioactive Waste Section Radioactive Waste SectionThe Radioactive Waste Section of the Radiation Control Program was formed in September 1994. The section is responsible for the implementation and enforcement of rules complying with the provisions of the Texas Compact and provide staff support to the Advisory Commission on Radioactive Waste and Decommissioning. This section is staffed by Thomas Hillman, who can be reached at (207)287-8401. The Maine Legislature voted to exit the Texas compact (effective April 5, 2002) with public law chapter 629 as an emergency measure to save Maine electric ratepayers the $25 million fee that Maine would have to pay to Texas otherwise. The compact language required a two year period before withdrawal would take effect, therefore April 5, 2004. It was the legislature's belief that since radioactive waste disposal is available from private firms (not compact exclusive of out of state waste) for all the radioactive waste generated in Maine, other than Maine Yankee, that the Texas compact was no longer necessary, and not an acceptable cost. What is the Texas Compact?The Texas Compact is an agreement between the states of Maine, Texas and Vermont regarding the disposal of commercial low-level radioactive waste. As a compact, these States require only one disposal facility for the compact region (rather than one in each State) and have the authority to deny out-of-compact wastes access to regional disposal facilities. The formation of each Compact requires the approval of the federal government through Congressional consent legislation. Thus far ten Compacts have received the approval of Congress. The Texas Compact has been approved by all three party states and has received Congressional approval. Under the Texas Compact agreement, the States of Maine and Vermont each contribute $25 million to the State of Texas, in exchange for 50 years of access to the proposed Texas low-level radioactive waste disposal facility. Maine and Vermont benefit under this arrangement by being ensured access to a low-level radioactive waste disposal facility, avoiding a far more expensive in-state siting process. The benefits for Texas are two fold. Firstly, as a Compact, Texas may exclude the importation of any out of Compact low-level radioactive wastes, as provided by the 1980 Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Act and its 1985 amendment. Secondly, Texas will use the majority of the $50 million towards construction costs of a facility. (Ten percent of the $50 million will be paid to the host county.) Notwithstanding the costs described above, Maine generators will be assessed disposal fees at the same rate as Texas generators. HistoryPrior to the joining the Texas Compact, Maine complied with federal law as a "go it alone" state, working to establish a disposal facility within Maine. The siting effort, costing some $7 million, was directed by the Maine Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Authority (the Authority). Simultaneously, Maine pursued efforts to join into a Compact with other States. These activities were coordinated through the Office of the Public Advocate. Stephen Ward, Maine's Public Advocate, was instrumental in negotiating the Texas Compact agreement. Maine law requires voter approval of low-level radioactive waste compacts by public referendum. On November 2, 1993, 73 percent of Maine voters approved of the Texas Compact. Upon Maine's approval of the Texas Compact, the Authority's siting activities were discontinued. The Authority was formally terminated in June 1994, by the same legislation that transferred non-siting related responsibilities to the Department of Human Services. Ongoing ProjectsStaff support to the Advisory Commission on Radioactive Waste and Decommissioning Inspection of outgoing shipments of low-level radioactive waste Maintaining inventories of low-level radioactive waste generation Remaining current on low-level radioactive waste news. Newsletter
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