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Committee advances bill changing permit review for nuclear facilities
Summary
The Budget and Appropriations committee released S-38-70, which would allow the Department of Environmental Protection to approve construction and operation of nuclear generating facilities if proposed radioactive waste storage or disposal meets Nuclear Regulatory Commission standards; supporters and opponents were listed and no amendments were added.
The Budget and Appropriations committee on March 19 voted to release Senate Bill 38-70, a measure that alters coastal area and facility permit-review requirements to allow the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to approve construction and operation of nuclear electricity‑generating facilities if proposed plans for radioactive waste storage or disposal meet Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) standards.
The Chair summarized the bill and listed supporting organizations and groups opposing it, including the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters. A committee member described the measure as removing an existing ban: “This eliminates what we have now. It's a ban of nuclear facility generated facilities. This removes that ban,” the committee member said, and expressed support for moving the bill forward.
A motion to release S-38-70 with no committee amendments was moved and seconded (mover and seconder identified in the record as Scanlon and Degnan). The committee held a roll-call vote and the Clerk announced S-38-70 was favorably released.
The bill as described conditions DEP approval on findings that proposed storage or disposal of radioactive waste will be safe and conform to NRC standards. The committee did not adopt amendments and did not set additional reporting requirements during this session.
