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through fees paid by utilities and other users of the services and 

 will ultimately be borne by those who benefit from the activities 

 generating the wastes. 



Fourth, I have directed the Department of Energy to work jointly 

 with states, other government agencies, industry and other organi- 

 zations, and the public, in developing national plans to establish 

 regional disposal sites for connnercial low level waste. We must 

 work together to resolve the serious near-term problem of low level 

 waste disposal. While this task is not inherently difficult from 

 the standpoint of safety, it requires better planning and coordination. 

 I endorse the actions being taken by the Nation's govembrs to tackle 

 this problem and direct the Secretary of Energy to work with them in 

 support of their effort. 



Fifth, the Federal programs for regulating radioactive waste 

 storage, transportation and disposal are a crucial component of our 

 efforts to ensure the health and safety of Americans. Although the 

 existing authorities and structures are basically sound, improvements 

 must be made in several areas. The current authority of the Nuclear 

 Regulatory Commission to license the disposal of high level waste and 

 low level waste in commercial facilities should be extended to include 

 spent fuel storage, and disposal of transuranic waste and non-defense 

 low level waste in any new government facilities. I am directing the 

 Environmental Protection Agency to consult with the Nuclear Regulatory 

 Commission to resolve issues of overlapping jurisdiction and phasing 

 of regulatory actions. They should also seek ways to speed up the 

 promulgation of their safety regulations. I am also directing the 

 Department of Transportation and the Environmental Protection Agency 

 to improve both the efficiency of their regulatory activities and 

 their relationships with other Federal agencies and state and local 

 governments . 



Sixth, it is essential that all aspects of the waste management 

 program Be conducted with the fullest possible disclosure to and 

 participation by the public and the technical community. I am 

 directing the departments and agencies to develop and improve mech- 

 anisms to ensure such participation and public involvement consistent 

 with the need to protect national security information. The waste 

 management program will be carried out in full compliance with the 

 National Environmental Policy Act. 



Seventh, because nuclear waste management is a problem shared 

 by many other countries and decisions on waste management alternatives 

 have nuclear proliferation implications, I will continue to encourage 

 and support bilateral and multilateral efforts which advance both our 

 technical capabilities and our understanding of spent fuel and waste 

 management options, which are consistent with our non-proliferation 

 policy. 



