Siting a low-level radioactive waste disposal facility in Texas

The Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Act of 1980 assigns the states the responsibility for disposal of the low-level radioactive waste generated within their boundaries. In 1981, the Texas Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Authority (the Authority) was formed by the 67th Legislature and charged with the responsibility of site selection, design, construction, operation, maintenance, decommissioning, closing, and financing a low-level radioactive waste disposal facility in Texas. The Authority is governed by a six-member Board of Directors and advised by a Citizens Advisory Board. In February, 1983, the Authority retained Dames and Moore to perform a statewide siting study to define one or more suitable sites. The study was conducted in three phases, progressing from statewide screening to site-specific studies. Each phase of screening included a more rigorous application of the Authority's siting criteria at various scales to narrow the search to more favorable areas. In February, 1985, the siting study culminated in the identification of five sites and recommendation of one site for further consideration by the Authority. This paper provides a discussion of this site selection process