Low-Level Waste Policy - Ohio's Activities in the Midwest Compact

The Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Act of 1980 shifted ultimate responsibility for low-level radioactive waste management to the states. The Act encouraged states to form regional compacts and set January 1, 1986 as a date when such regional compacts could exclude waste generated outside of the compact region. This Act caused serious negotiations to be initiated between states resulting in the formation of seven regional compacts. Using Ohio and the Midwest Compact as an example, the current status of the compacting process will be reviewed and the implications of the 1986 cutoff date will be discussed.