Friday, October 23, 1998

Alternative Disposal Site for the Texas Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Compact

A message sent to Forum Participants and Alternate Forum Participants on behalf of the LLW Forum.

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This morning, Waste Control Specialists (WCS), a Texas-based company specializing in waste management services announced that "it is prepared to work with [the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC)] in evaluating the use of WCS's existing, licensed disposal facility in Andrews County, Texas, as an alternative disposal site for the Texas Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Compact." The announcement comes one day after the three members of the TNRCC voted unanimously to deny the Texas Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Authorityıs application for a license to construct and operate a disposal facility in Hudspeth County, Texas.

In today's press release, WCS President Kenneth Bigham said: "The TNRCC Commissioners made a difficult decision yesterday, and we respect their integrity in doing so. However, their decision need not threaten the future of the vitally important Texas-Maine-Vermont low-level waste compact. Our facility in Andrews County is already built and licensed by the State of Texas and the EPA, and with some additional review could begin receiving compact wastes within 12 to 18 months."

The WCS facility currently holds various permits, licenses, and authorizations, including a low-level radioactive waste treatment, processing, and storage license issued by the Texas Department of Health and a naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) disposal authorization issued by the TNRCC. The facility is not authorized, however, to dispose of low-level radioactive waste.

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