--- kind: "section" citation: "42 U.S.C. § 2021b" title: "42" title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare" number: "2021b" heading: "Definitions" release: "119-102" date: "2026-07-12" url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/2021b" units: - "Chapter 23 — Development and Control of Atomic Energy" - "Division A — Atomic Energy" - "Subchapter I — General Provisions" --- # §2021b. Definitions For purposes of sections 2021b to [2021j](/usc/42/2021j.md) of this title: - (1) **Agreement State—** The term “agreement State” means a [State](#14) that— - (A) has entered into an agreement with the Nuclear Regulatory [Commission](/usc/42/2014.md?p=f) under [section 2021 of this title](/usc/42/2021.md); and - (B) has authority to regulate the [disposal](#7) of [low-level radioactive waste](#9-A) under such agreement. - (2) **Allocation—** The term “allocation” means the assignment of a specific amount of [low-level radioactive waste](#9-A) [disposal](#7) capacity to a [commercial nuclear power reactor](#3) for which access is required to be provided by sited [States](#14) subject to the conditions specified under sections 2021b to [2021j](/usc/42/2021j.md) of this title. - (3) **Commercial nuclear power reactor—** The term “commercial nuclear power reactor” means any unit of a civilian light-water moderated [utilization facility](/usc/42/2014.md?p=cc) required to be licensed under section [2133](/usc/42/2133.md) or [2134(b)](/usc/42/2134.md?p=b) of this title. - (4) **Compact—** The term “compact” means a compact entered into by two or more [States](#14) pursuant to sections 2021b to [2021j](/usc/42/2021j.md) of this title. - (5) **Compact commission—** The term “compact commission” means the regional [commission](/usc/42/2014.md?p=f), committee, or board established in a [compact](#4) to administer such [compact](#4). - (6) **Compact region—** The term “compact region” means the area consisting of all [States](#14) that are members of a [compact](#4). - (7) **Disposal—** The term “disposal” means the permanent isolation of [low-level radioactive waste](#9-A) pursuant to the requirements established by the Nuclear Regulatory [Commission](/usc/42/2014.md?p=f) under applicable laws, or by an [agreement State](#1) if such isolation occurs in such [agreement State](#1). - (8) **Generate—** The term “generate”, when used in relation to [low-level radioactive waste](#9-A), means to [produce](/usc/42/2014.md?p=u) [low-level radioactive waste](#9-A). - (9) **Low-level radioactive waste—** - (A) **In general—** The term “low-level radioactive waste” means radioactive material that— - (i) is not [high-level radioactive waste](/usc/42/2014.md?p=ee), [spent nuclear fuel](/usc/42/2014.md?p=ee), or [byproduct material](/usc/42/2014.md?p=e) (as defined in [section 2014(e)(2) of this title](/usc/42/2014.md?p=e-2)); and - (ii) the Nuclear Regulatory [Commission](/usc/42/2014.md?p=f), consistent with existing law and in accordance with paragraph (A), classifies as [low-level radioactive waste](#9-A). - (B) **Exclusion—** The term “[low-level radioactive waste](#9-A)” does not include [byproduct material](/usc/42/2014.md?p=e) (as defined in paragraphs (3) and (4) of [section 2014(e) of this title](/usc/42/2014.md?p=e)). - (10) **Non-sited compact region—** The term “non-sited compact region” means any [compact region](#6) that is not a [sited compact region](#13). - (11) **Regional disposal facility—** The term “regional disposal facility” means a non-Federal [low-level radioactive waste](#9-A) [disposal](#7) facility in operation on January 1, 1985, or subsequently established and operated under a [compact](#4). - (12) **Secretary—** The term “[Secretary](/usc/42/242q–4.md?p=2)” means the [Secretary](/usc/42/242q–4.md?p=2) of Energy. - (13) **Sited compact region—** The term “sited compact region” means a [compact region](#6) in which there is located one of the [regional disposal facilities](#11) at Barnwell, in the [State](#14) of South Carolina; Richland, in the [State](#14) of Washington; or Beatty, in the [State](#14) of Nevada. - (14) **State—** The term “State” means any State of the [United States](/usc/42/2014.md?p=bb), the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. ## Source credit (Pub. L. 96–573, § 2, as added Pub. L. 99–240, title I, § 102, Jan. 15, 1986, 99 Stat. 1842; amended Pub. L. 109–58, title VI, § 651(e)(3)(B), Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 808.) ## Notes ### Editorial Notes ### Codification Section was enacted as part of the Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Act, and not as part of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 which comprises this chapter. ### Constitutionality For information regarding the constitutionality of certain provisions of Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Act (sections 2021b to 2021j of this title), see the Table of Laws Held Unconstitutional in Whole or in Part by the Supreme Court on the Constitution Annotated website, constitution.congress.gov. ### Prior Provisions A prior section 2021b, Pub. L. 96–573, § 2, Dec. 22, 1980, 94 Stat. 3347, related to definitions respecting low-level radioactive waste policy as used in former sections 2021b to 2021d of this title, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 99–240, § 102. ### Amendments 2005—Par. (9). Pub. L. 109–58 designated existing provisions as subpar. (A), inserted heading, redesignated former subpars. (A) and (B) as cls. (i) and (ii), respectively, and added subpar. (B). ### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries ### Short Title of 1986 Amendment Pub. L. 99–240, title I, § 101, Jan. 15, 1986, 99 Stat. 1842, provided that: “This Title [enacting this section and sections 2021c to 2021j of this title, repealing former sections 2021b to 2021d of this title, and enacting and repealing a provision set out as a note under this section] may be cited as the ‘Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Amendments Act of 1985’.” ### Short Title Pub. L. 96–573, § 1, as added by Pub. L. 99–240, title I, § 102, Jan. 15, 1986, 99 Stat. 1842, provided that: “This Act [enacting sections 2021b to 2021j of this title] may be cited as the ‘Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Act’.” A prior section 1 of Pub. L. 96–573, which provided that Pub. L. 96–573 [enacting former sections 2021b to 2021d of this title] could be cited as the “Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Act”, was repealed by Pub. L. 99–240, title I, § 102, Jan. 15, 1986, 99 Stat. 1842.