Whereas, prior action of the Maine Legislature and the Congress of the United States calls for payment to the State of Texas by Maine of $25,000,000 in 2 or more payments, all of which are initially to be paid by the customers of the State's only nuclear-generating unit pursuant to Maine law and federal regulation; and

Whereas, the Legislature in 1993 enacted Public Law 1993, chapter 400, "An Act Authorizing a Referendum to Ratify the Texas Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Compact with Maine and Vermont and Approving the Compact's Terms," which was subsequently signed by the Governor of this State; and

Whereas, in November 1993 the voters of the State approved Maine's entrance into a low-level radioactive waste compact with Texas and Vermont; and

Whereas, action in the Legislatures of Texas and Vermont and subsequent approval of the Congress of the United States of the "Texas Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Compact Consent Act" (Public Law 105-236) in 1998 caused the Texas Low-level Radioactive Waste Compact to come into existence under both federal and state law; and

Whereas, the State's only nuclear-generating unit ceased operations permanently in 1997 and began the process of physical dismantlement and decommissioning in 1998; and

Whereas, the State's only nuclear-generating unit has completed more than 50% of that decommissioning process and has entered into contractual relationships for the disposal of low-level radioactive waste at commercial facilities in the states of South Carolina and Utah; and

Whereas, the State of Texas has made no progress in siting, licensing, constructing or opening for commercial operation a low-level waste disposal facility as had been contemplated by the compact members; and

Whereas, no other generator of low-level radioactive waste in this State continues to have a need for disposal capacity in Texas in view of the facilities currently accepting such waste in South Carolina and Utah; and

Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of