Legislature(2001 - 2002)
03/30/2001 01:58 PM House RES
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HJR 20-OPPOSING ARCTIC SHIPMENT OF NUCLEAR WASTE CO-CHAIR MASEK announced that the first order of business was HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 20, Opposing Arctic marine shipment of nuclear waste between Russia and Japan. Number 0048 REPRESENTATIVE REGGIE JOULE, Alaska State Legislature, spoke as the sponsor of HJR 20. He said that people are concerned about the current routes that are being used to transport nuclear waste, and the potential risk involved. Representative Joule explained that the particular type of nuclear waste in question is "vitrified, high-level nuclear waste," adding that there is only one other type of nuclear waste that is more toxic. He mentioned that France and Japan are dealing with toxic nuclear waste. Representative Joule stated that [Alaska] has some of the "richest" and "most fragile" waters in the world, that "house its fishing" and [supply] its food source for subsistence users. REPRESENTATIVE JOULE mentioned a letter from North Slope Borough Mayor George Ahmaogak, who first brought attention to this issue. He also indicated a letter [in the committee packet] from Secretary of State Colin Powell to Governor [Tony Knowles]. Representative Joule told the committee that discussions about this issue were in the early stages. Subsequently, he recommended that the resolution be moved forward as quickly as possible. Number 0290 CO-CHAIR MASEK asked if [a nuclear waste spill] would affect only coastal areas or would expand to inland areas, as well. REPRESENTATIVE JOULE mentioned the currents in the ocean. He said that although the Russians use special icebreakers to carry the nuclear waste from one point to the next and all precautions are taken, he couldn't help but speculate what kind of catastrophe would occur if any of the waste were to leach out. He quoted from an article that read, "[The] waste is so deadly that a person within a meter of an unshielded block would receive a fatal dose of radiation in less than one minute." CO-CHAIR MASEK read from the resolution: Page 1, line 8, Alaska has not been invited to participate or consult in any way during these negotiations She asked Representative Joule when negotiation teams began meeting. REPRESENTATIVE JOULE answered that there have been informal, preliminary discussions at the international level. [Secretary of State Colin Powell's letter stated that he understood the discussions were between private industry representatives rather than between governments.] Representative Joule remarked that it was fortunate that consideration was being given [to the transportation of radioactive waste] through waters that Alaska and Russia share and that Alaska was able to obtain information regarding these discussions. Number 0555 REPRESENTATIVE FATE mentioned his concern that the currents could carry radioactive waste into the northern Bering Sea, an area in which salmon have recently been found circulating. He inquired about the name of the port in Russia out of which the toxic waste originates. REPRESENTATIVE JOULE replied he did not know. He mentioned that the letter from Secretary of State Colin Powell informed [Governor Tony Knowles], among other things, not to worry; the discussions taking place were preliminary. Representative Joule pointed out that there are huge commercial fisheries throughout Western Alaska and that Alaska's ecosystems are very fragile; consequently, HJR 20 is very important. Number 0745 REPRESENTATIVE FATE moved to report HJR 20 out of committee with individual recommendations. There being no objection, HJR 20 was moved out of the House Resources Standing Committee.
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