WHEREAS, this State has responsibilities regarding management and disposal of low-level radioactive waste generated by non-Federal activities within its borders; and

WHEREAS, low-level radioactive waste can be most safely and efficiently managed and disposed of on a regional basis, through state initiative and leadership; and

WHEREAS, the development of regional solutions to low-level radioactive waste management and disposal problems has been recommended by the National Governors' Association, the National Conference of State Legislatures and by the State Planning Council, and encouraged by Congress; and

WHEREAS, the development and proposal of such solutions requires careful consideration of complex factors and thoughtful cooperative drafting of proposed legislation or interstate agreement or compact language and supporting documents; and

WHEREAS, the development and proposal of such solutions are within the powers conferred upon the Western Interstate Energy Board and by the Western Interstate Nuclear Compact but have not been undertaken by that Board to the extent provided for herein, and can more effectively be undertaken as provided for herein; and

WHEREAS, Acticle VII of the Western Interstate Nuclear Compact authorizes supplementary agreements for the undertaking of activities or projects within the power of said Board.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, John Spellman, Governor of the State of Washington agree as follows, with such other States as similarly agree:

1. This is a Supplementary Agreement entered into pursuant to Article VII of the Western Interstate Nuclear Compact.

2. There is hereby created the Western Regional Low-Level Radioactive Waste Committee, as an instrumentality of each of the States made a party to or participant in this Agreement. The Committee shall consist of one member appointed by the Governor of each State party to or participant in this Agreement.

3. Each State which is a party to the Western Interstate Nuclear Compact may become a party to this Agreement, by the execution of the terms of this Agreement in writing by its Governor. Each State which is eligible to be but is not a party to the Western Interstate Nuclear Compact, and any other State whose participation is approved by all of the States then party to this Agreement, may become a participant in this Agreement by the execution of the terms of this Agreement in writing by its Governor. Parties and participants shall have equal voice and status in the work and recommendations of the Committee.

4. The purpose of the Committee is to develop and recommend to the Governors of the States party to or participant in this Agreement, proposals concerning regional solutions to problems relating to management and disposal of low-level radioactive waste, which may include the drafting of proposed legislation and interstate compact language. The recommendations of this Committee shall take into account and, to the extent deemed appropriate, conform to the recommendations of the National Governors' Association, the National Conference of State Legislatures, and the State Planning Council.

5. The Western Interstate Energy Board shall administer and assist in the operation of this Agreement.

6. The Committee, or the Western Interstate Energy Board on behalf of the Committee, may apply for and accept for its purpose and functions under this Agreement any and all donations and grants of money from any State or the United States or any subdivision or agency thereof, or interstate agency, or from any institution, person, firm, foundation or corporation; and may receive, utilize and dispose of the same. Out of any funds so obtained, the Committee, or the Board on behalf of the Committee, may retain or employ assistance appropriate to the accomplishment of the purpose of the Committee. Except as they may be provided for out of funds so obtained, the costs of each State's participation in this Agreement shall be borne separately by that State.

7. Any State may withdraw from this Agreement at any time by order of its Governor; and this Agreement shall expire when all but one State party hereto or participant herein has withdrawn. This Agreement shall in any event expire three months after the date on which the Committee recommends its final proposals concerning regional solutions to problems relating to management and disposal of low-level radioactive waste. Upon the expiration of this Agreement, unless the Governors of all States party hereto or participant herein immediately prior to such expiration shall have agreed otherwise, any assets of the Committee shall vest in the Western Interstate Energy Board.

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