An attempt to create a low-level radioactive waste dump in Texas has failed in the state legislature. The legislature failed to pass a bill that would have allowed a privately-owned dump to be opened in the west Texas town of Andrews. Low-level waste disposal is now performed at only three facilities in the USA.
Eric Peus, president and chief executive officer of Andrews-based Waste Control Specialists, which would have operated the dump, said: “This was the only chance in the country to create something to dispose of low-level waste.” Originally, the Texas bill would have allowed Waste Control to accept radioactive material only from Texas, Maine and Vermont. However, the company pushed for an amendment so it could accept waste from the US Energy Department, which would have required a more consistent and larger stream of waste. When this amendment was added, opposition to the facility increased and the bill was thrown out.
