Oregon Statutes - Chapter 469 - Energy; Conservation Programs; Energy Facilities - Section 469.375 - Required findings for radioactive waste disposal facility certificate.

The Energy Facility Siting Council shall not issue a site certificate for a waste disposal facility for uranium mine overburden or uranium mill tailings, mill wastes or mill by-product or for radioactive waste or radioactively contaminated containers or receptacles used in the transportation, storage, use or application of radioactive material, unless, accompanying its decision it finds:

(1) The site is:

(a) Suitable for disposal of such wastes, and the amount of the wastes, intended for disposal at the site;

(b) Not located in or adjacent to:

(A) An area determined to be potentially subject to river or creek erosion within the lifetime of the facility;

(B) Within the 500-year floodplain of a river, taking into consideration the area determined to be potentially subject to river or creek erosion within the lifetime of the facility;

(C) An active fault or an active fault zone;

(D) An area of ancient, recent or active mass movement including land sliding, flow or creep;

(E) An area subject to ocean erosion; or

(F) An area having experienced volcanic activity within the last two million years.

(2) There is no available disposal technology and no available alternative site for disposal of such wastes that would better protect the health, safety and welfare of the public and the environment;

(3) The disposal of such wastes and the amount of the wastes, at the site will be compatible with the regulatory programs of federal government for disposal of such wastes;

(4) The disposal of such wastes, and the amount of the wastes, at the site will be coordinated with the regulatory programs of adjacent states for disposal of such wastes;

(5) That following closure of the site, there will be no release of radioactive materials or radiation from the waste;

(6) That suitable deed restrictions have been placed on the site recognizing the hazard of the material; and

(7) That, where federal funding for remedial actions is not available, a surety bond in the name of the state has been provided in an amount determined by the State Department of Energy to be sufficient to cover any costs of closing the site and monitoring it or providing for its security after closure and to secure performance of any site certificate conditions. The bond may be withdrawn when the council finds that:

(a) The radioactive waste has been disposed of at a waste disposal facility for which a site certificate has been issued; and

(b) A fee has been paid to the State of Oregon sufficient for monitoring the site after closure.

(8) If any section, portion, clause or phrase of this section is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional the remaining sections, portions, clauses and phrases shall not be affected but shall remain in full force or effect, and to this end the provisions of this section are severable. [Formerly 459.625; 1979 c.283 §3; 1981 c.587 §3; 1985 c.4]

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Last modified: August 7, 2008