Bill 2357

                    Current Status

BillNumber:                2357
Ratification Number:       46
Act Number:                202
Introducing Body:          House
Subject:                   Committee to Consult on Away-From-Reacter Storage 
                           established, joint resolution

(A202, R46, S2357)

A JOINT RESOLUTION TO ESTABLISH A COMMITTEE TO OFFICIALLY CONSULT WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CONCERNING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN AWAY-FROM-REACTOR STORAGE FACILITY IN SOUTH CAROLINA FOR SPENT NUCLEAR FUEL PRODUCED BY UTILITIES WITH NO OPERATIONS IN THE STATE, AND TO REQUIRE THAT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ANY AWAY-FROM-REACTOR STORAGE FACILITY MUST BE APPROVED BY A JOINT RESOLUTION VOTED UPON FAVORABLY BY A MAJORITY OF THE MEMBERSHIP OF BOTH THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Whereas, the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina passed a Concurrent Resolution in 1980 creating a committee to consult with the Federal Government; and

Whereas, United States Senators Strom Thurmond and Ernest F. Hollings placed the Concurrent Resolution of the General Assembly of South Carolina in the Congressional Record; and

Whereas, it is now deemed advisable to have such committee created on a more permanent basis by a joint Resolution of the General Assembly; and

Whereas, the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina finds that this State, as a sovereign state of these United States, has a duty and a responsibility guaranteed by the reservation of powers unto it in the Tenth Amendment of the Constitution of the United States to protect and insure the health, safety and welfare of its citizens; and

Whereas, the General Assembly further finds that no decisions have yet been made by the Federal Government regarding the disposition of spent fuel or high-level radioactive waste; and

Whereas, the General Assembly further finds that there are many technical, legal, environmental, economic and social issues which must be resolved before a permanent repository for high-level radioactive waste and an interim storage terminal for spent fuel can be established; and

Whereas, the General Assembly further finds that the principles of equity require that serious consideration be given to an even distribution of the responsibilities and burdens of having nuclear waste storage facilities within any given state; and

Whereas, the State of South Carolina is already storing more than its proportionate share of radioactive waste and materials. Now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

Committee established

SECTION 1. There is hereby established the Committee to Consult on Away-From-Reactor Storage to officially consult with the Federal Government concerning the establishment of an away-from reactor facility in South Carolina for spent nuclear fuel produced by utilities with no operations in the State. This committee shall study, report and make recommendations to the General Assembly.

The committee shall consist of nine members and shall include the Governor, who shall serve as chairman, the Speaker of the House or his House designee, two members of the House of Representatives to be appointed by the Speaker of the House, the President of the Senate or his Senate designee, two members of the Senate to be appointed by the President of the Senate, and two members to be appointed by the Governor. The members shall serve at the pleasure of their appointers, without compensation, and shall meet not less than twice annually and at other times upon call of the chairman.

State agencies, etc., to cooperate with committee

SECTION 2. The Department of Health and Environmental Control, the Governor's Nuclear Advisory Council, the joint Legislative Committee on Energy and such other state agencies, boards and commissions as may be required, shall cooperate with and provide information and assistance to the committee.

Storage facility must be approved by Joint Resolution

SECTION 3. Through June 30, 1990, the establishment of an away-from-reactor storage facility for commercial spent fuel produced by utilities with no operations in the State of South Carolina must be approved by a joint Resolution of the General Assembly which receives a favorable vote of a majority of the total membership in both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Committee to be dissolved

SECTION 4. The Committee to Consult on Away-From-Reactor Storage shall exist until June 30, 1990, at which time it shall dissolve.

State's role in use of Barnwell Nuclear Fuel Plant

SECTION 5. This act shall not be construed as applying in any way, or having any effect upon, questions involving the state's role in the possible use of the Barnwell Nuclear Fuel Plant as a reprocessing facility.

Time effective

SECTION 6. This act shall take effect upon approval by the Governor.

Approved the 26th day of March, 1981.