Code Section

115005.  

In addition to the requirements imposed by Section 115000, the department shall develop an overall plan, in consultation with other state, regional, and federal agencies, for the management, treatment, and disposal of low-level radioactive waste generated within California. The plan shall contain, at a minimum, all of the following elements:

(a) Specific contingency plans to address the needs of the state for the short-term storage of low-level radioactive waste in the event of a precipitous closure of existing out-of-state commercial waste disposal facilities and to evaluate feasible alternatives for meeting the state’s needs. This element of the plan shall include, but is not limited to, all of the following factors:

(1) The amount and kinds of low-level radioactive waste generated by California licensees and current disposal locations.

(2) The size and nature of an interim storage facility required to meet California’s interim low-level radioactive waste disposal needs.

(3) The cost of developing and operating an interim storage site by the department or contracting organizations.

(4) Criteria for the siting of an interim storage site, including, but not limited to, all of the following:

(A) Proximity to population.

(B) Geologic stability.

(C) Proximity to ground or surface water.

(D) Availability of transportation.

(E) General public health and economic considerations.

This element of the plan shall be completed and submitted to the appropriate committees of each house of the Legislature on or before December 31, 1982.

(b) A classification scheme for the separation of low-level waste that will facilitate the management, treatment, storage, and ultimate disposal of the waste. This classification scheme shall consider the matters as possible de minimis radiation levels for specific radionuclides, the quantity and specific activity of the material, its persistence, toxicity, chemical form, reactivity, and the principal radionuclides present. The classification scheme shall also include the specifications necessary to determine which classes of waste may or may not be accepted for storage in an interim storage facility established pursuant to Section 115045, that may or may not be held by the licensee for decay to specified residual radioactivity levels and that require long-term isolation from the environment, as the case may be, for the protection of the public health and safety. The department may require as a condition of licensure the submission of information necessary to determine the total amount of waste produced in each class of the classification scheme. The department may, by regulation, adopt the classification scheme establishing which wastes may or may not be accepted at an interim storage facility or at a treatment or disposal facility.

This element of the plan shall be completed and submitted to the appropriate committees of each house of the Legislature on or before December 31, 1982.

(c) Siting criteria for potential land burial disposal sites and treatment facilities within the state. In establishing these criteria, the department shall consider the following factors, including, but not limited to:

(1) The present and projected future uses of land, water, and natural resources.

(2) The proximity of the site to major population centers.

(3) The presence of active earthquake faults.

(4) Geologic and other natural barriers that protect against surface or groundwater contamination.

(5) The effectiveness of engineered barriers, waste treatment, and waste packaging in ensuring isolation of the waste from the environment.

(6) Transportation of radioactive materials as it relates to public health and safety.

(7) The relative economic impact of location and operation of treatment or disposal facilities.

This element of the plan shall be completed and submitted to the appropriate committees of each house of the Legislature on or before December 31, 1982.

(d) A plan of action to minimize the environmental, occupational, and public health impact of low-level radioactive waste and to protect the public health and safety by encouraging a reduction in the amount and toxicity of waste produced. This activity shall include conducting or having studies conducted that evaluate the technical and economic feasibility of (1) reducing the volume, reactivity, and chemical and radioactive hazard of the waste, (2) cleaning contaminated, nonactivated metals and other materials to permit their recycle and reuse, and (3) substituting nonradioactive or short-lived radioactive materials for those radionuclides that require long-term isolation from the environment. The results of these studies, along with the departmental recommendations for their implementation, shall be reported by the department to the appropriate committees of the Legislature on or before December 31, 1983.

(e) Within six months after September 28, 1983, the Governor shall direct the appropriate state agency or agencies, as determined by the Governor, to conduct and complete a study that identifies those regions of the state within which it is likely the criteria developed pursuant to subdivision (c) could be met. The state agency or agencies, so directed, may also request, when appropriate, the assistance of state or federal agencies or private organizations.