THE CHALLENGE

The state of Texas searched unsuccessfully for decades for an answer to the need to dispose of tons of low-level radioactive waste that was accumulating throughout the state.

This waste is produced by activities that are essential to our society and which enhance our quality of life, including power generators, hospitals, universities, research institutions and industrial plants. Without radioactive material the quality of our lives would greatly diminish.

Low-level radioactive waste is now being temporarily stored at thousands of sites across Texas and throughout the United States, much of it in heavily populated, urban areas.

After repeated efforts to open a state-operated disposal site failed, the Texas Legislature approved a public-private partnership authorizing a private company to dispose of the waste under state regulation and oversight.

To carry out that mission the Texas Legislature created the Texas Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Compact Commission (The Compact), which is responsible for overseeing the volume of waste disposed of at the Compact facility. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) then selected Waste Control Specialists to operate the Compact facility.

TCEQ is responsible for licensing and regulating Compact facility operations, including setting rules for the types of waste authorized for disposal.

Working together, these entities are providing The Texas Solution to our low-level waste disposal needs.