S 1044 Concurrent Resolution, By Lourie, Leventis, Sheheen, Setzler, Scott, 
McConnell, Short, Ceips, Jackson and Patterson
 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE FEDERAL NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION TO
 DISAPPROVE THE REQUEST TO IMPORT AND DISPOSE OF ITALIAN LOW-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE
 WASTE IN THIS COUNTRY.

   01/30/08  Senate Introduced SJ-8
   01/30/08  Senate Referred to Committee on Judiciary SJ-8
   02/05/08  Senate Referred to Subcommittee: Rankin (ch), Ford,
                     Scott, Campbell

URGING THE FEDERAL NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION TO DISAPPROVE THE REQUEST TO IMPORT AND DISPOSE OF ITALIAN LOW-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTE IN THIS COUNTRY.

Whereas, the disposal of nuclear waste, low-level, as well as more toxic levels, has been an ongoing concern not only in South Carolina but throughout the United States and around the world; and

Whereas, the nuclear waste disposal facility in Barnwell, which has been in place for the past thirty-six years, has been a contentious issue in this State for decades; and

Whereas, on the eve of the Barnwell facility closing to the nation this coming summer, the issue of importing and disposing of foreign radioactive waste has arisen not only as a concern in South Carolina, but also as a concern facing the United States; and

Whereas, Foreign Solutions, Inc., of Utah, which, among other things, operates the Barnwell facility, is seeking approval from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to import twenty thousand tons of Italian low-level radioactive waste through Charleston or New Orleans for processing and disposal in the United States; and

Whereas, Italy, which currently stores its radioactive waste at power plants and other sites throughout Italy, has no permanent repository for this waste, has four closed nuclear power stations and other nuclear facilities with low-level radioactive waste, and for the past number of years has been unable to construct a waste disposal facility due to strong citizen opposition; and

Whereas, due to having closed facilities and citizen opposition to construction of any new facilities, Italy reportedly has no nuclear waste disposal plan and, according to a 2006 Italian report, is seeking assistance from other countries to manage different types of nuclear waste; and

Whereas, the approval being sought from the United States for disposition of twenty thousand tons of Italy's low-level waste, which equates to approximately one million cubic feet, is allegedly a substantial percentage of the waste temporarily stored in Italy and is believed to be unprecedented in the United States; and

Whereas, transporting tons of nuclear waste through South Carolina renews issues that our State has struggled with for decades and raises concern over the potential danger to the people and environment of South Carolina; and

Whereas, having battled for years over the closure of the Barnwell facility, South Carolina must stand strong in its opposition to the importation of foreign waste and the transportation of such waste through this State; and

Whereas, importation of foreign waste is an issue that not only South Carolina must strongly resist, but also that the United States must stand firmly against. As a nation we have our own challenges in disposing of nuclear waste generated in this country, and it is incumbent upon us to insist that other countries take responsibility for the disposal of their own nuclear waste and not attempt to utilize the United States as a dumping ground; and

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina General Assembly adamantly oppose the importation of low-level radioactive waste from Italy and the transportation of this waste through South Carolina for the disposal of such waste in this country. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, urge the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission to disapprove the request to import and dispose of Italian low-level radioactive waste in this country.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to each member of the South Carolina Congressional Delegation and to Dale Klein, Chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.