Bill would give state part of radioactive waste profits

[struggle4progress]

BETSY BLANEY
Associated Press

A West Texas lawmaker wants the state to cash in on tons of Department of Energy radioactive waste if it's dumped at an Andrews County storage site.

Sen. Robert Duncan, R-Lubbock, filed a bill Friday that would require a company handling the waste to pay the state 10 percent of gross receipts for storage, processing and disposal, plus a surcharge based on the level of radioactivity.

Dallas-based Waste Control Specialists is the only company that has applied to handle tons of federal uranium byproduct waste at the site in Andrews, near the New Mexico border.

A bill similar to Duncan's was passed in South Carolina, and he said it brings in about $24 million a year. He did not estimate what Texas might receive. <snip>

http://www.dfw.com/mld/startelegram/news/state/11113778.htm


Some short-sighted legislators might say, "Why should we be the nation's dumping ground?" But in Texas, your Texas, the legislators have instead fixed their eyes on -- the money. Ya'll shore is supremely blessed ...

[BrightKnight]

1. Who pays 20 years later when the company is out of business?

Texas will be paying to maintain and secure the site for centuries. How long will this company remain in business? This sounds like another neocon shell game to me.

The company will make a quick profit and go out of business. A few neocon politicians will collect donations. Texas taxpayers will be paying for this for centuries. 7000 radioactive containers will be trucked through Dallas and Fort Worth.

The company can only remain profitable by finding more radioactive material to transport and store in Texas. The 7000 containers are only a down payment.

[struggle4progress]

2. Bingo! eom