RADIOACTIVE WASTE S.B. 948 (S-2):
SUMMARY OF BILL
REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE
Senate Bill 948 (Substitute S-2 as reported)
Committee: Natural Resources, Environment and Great Lakes
CONTENT
The bill would amend Public Act 113 of 1978, which governs radioactive waste, to provide that an exception to a prohibition against the deposit and storage of radioactive waste in Michigan would not apply to permit storage or disposal of certain categories of low-level radioactive waste.
The Act prohibits the deposit or storage of radioactive waste in Michigan, but contains a number of exceptions to this prohibition. The exceptions include the safe and secure storage and/or disposal of low-level radioactive waste pursuant to Public Act 460 of 1982 (which enacted the Midwest Interstate Low-Level Radioactive Waste Compact) and Part 137 of the Public Health Code (which regulates sites for the disposal of radioactive waste).
The bill provides that this exception would not apply to permit storage or disposal of Class A or B waste that was generated outside Michigan, or Class C waste. "Class A waste", "Class B waste", or "Class C waste" would mean Class A waste, Class B waste, or Class C waste, respectively, as described in 10 CFR 61.55 that is low-level radioactive waste as defined in Section 13703 of the Public Health Code.
The bill also would do the following:
-- Create the Great Lakes Protection Radioactive Waste Advisory Board.
-- Require the Board to prepare a report on the potential impacts in the Great Lakes Basin that could result from a deep geologic repository for radioactive waste to be constructed and operated near or along the shore of any of the Great Lakes.
-- Require the Board to conduct at least three public hearings in areas that could be affected by the proposed repository.
-- Repeal the provisions related to the Board one year and 90 days after the bill took effect.
MCL 325.491 et al. Legislative Analyst: Julie Cassidy
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have a minor, but negative fiscal impact on the Department of Environmental Quality and no fiscal impact on local units of government. The bill would establish the Great Lakes Protection Radioactive Waste Advisory Board, which would result in some minor administrative costs to the DEQ related to the reimbursement of travel and other necessary expenses of Board members.
Date Completed: 6-9-14 Fiscal Analyst: Josh Sefton
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.