South Dakota Question 1, Radioactive Waste Management Compact Measure (1985)

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South Dakota Question 1

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Election date

November 12, 1985

Topic
Nuclear energy and Pollution, waste, and recycling policy
Status

DefeatedDefeated

Type
Legislatively referred advisory question
Origin

State legislature



South Dakota Question 1 was on the ballot as a legislatively referred advisory question in South Dakota on November 12, 1985. It was defeated.

A "yes" vote supported establishing Dakota Interstate Low-Level Radioactive Waste Management Compact to manage radioactive waste through a regional commission, with provisions for facility operation, funding, and closure.

A "no" vote opposed establishing Dakota Interstate Low-Level Radioactive Waste Management Compact to manage radioactive waste through a regional commission, with provisions for facility operation, funding, and closure.


Election results

South Dakota Question 1

Result Votes Percentage
Yes 15,463 16.85%

Defeated No

76,295 83.15%
Results are officially certified.
Source


Text of measure

Ballot title

The ballot title for Question 1 was as follows:

SUBMITTED QUESTION

The 1985 Legislature enacted a proposal known as the Dakota Interstate Low-Level Radioactive Waste Management Compact into law. By virtue of House Joint Resolution 1005 the Legislature also directed that the question of South Dakota's entry into the Compact be submitted to the citizens for a vote.

The Attorney General of South Dakota has provided the following explanation of the terms of the Dakota Interstate Low-Level Radioactive Waste Management Compact:

This law would create Dakota Interstate Low-Level Radioactive Waste Management Compact, effective upon ratification by Congress, ratify state membership upon North Dakota ratifying, and permit other states to join. The purpose is to protect the citizenry by providing regional management of storage, transportation, treatment, or disposal of low-level radioactive waste.

A commission, appointed by member states, would administer the compact, raise an annual budget through contributions of member states or through surcharges of users of a regional facility. A member state could obtain authority to operate a regional management site, itself or by private operator, by volunteering, meeting criteria specified, appointment by the commission, and securing federal permits. Such state could collect a surcharge from users of the facility to pay for operation and administration of the facility. The state could not voluntarily close the facility for twenty years, and would be responsible for long-term observation and maintenance after closure. Voluntary closure could occur five years after notice given, or involuntarily after one year.

State withdrawal from membership would be by enacting legislation, effective five years from notice, and would not affect liability previously incurred.

All member states must use any regional facility operating. Not state can enact inconsistent laws.

A vote “Yes” approves of South Dakota’s entry into the Compact.

A vote “No” disapproves of South Dakota’s entry into the Compact.


Path to the ballot

The South Dakota State Legislature voted to refer the non-binding question to the ballot.

See also


External links

Footnotes