BILL NUMBER: SB 422	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator Wright

                        FEBRUARY 16, 2011

   An act to amend Section 25511 of the Public Resources Code,
relating to energy.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 422, as introduced, Wright. Energy: nuclear fission thermal
powerplant: seismic safety.
   Existing law requires the commission to review factors related to
safety and reliability of a proposed thermal powerplant facility at a
site, including seismic hazards at the site.
   This bill would provide that a determination by the United States
Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) that a site and related facility
of a nuclear fission thermal powerplant meets the seismic safety
standards established by the NRC on or before January 1, 2012, is
conclusive and binding on the commission as to its determination of
whether the site and related facility are seismically safe.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 25511 of the Public Resources Code is amended
to read:
   25511.   (a)    The commission shall review the
factors related to safety and reliability of the facilities at each
of the alternative sites designated in the notice. In addition to
other information requested of the applicant, the commission shall,
in determining the appropriateness of sites and related facilities,
require detailed information on proposed emergency systems and safety
precautions, plans for transport, handling and storage of wastes and
fuels, proposed methods to prevent illegal diversion of nuclear
fuels, special design features to account for seismic and other
potential hazards, proposed methods to control density of population
in areas surrounding nuclear powerplants, and such other information
as the commission may determine to be relevant to the reliability and
safety of the facility at the proposed sites. The commission shall
analyze the information provided by the applicant, supplementing it,
where necessary, by onsite investigations and other studies. The
commission shall determine the adequacy of measures proposed by the
applicant to protect public health and safety, and shall include its
findings in the final report required by Section 25514. 
   (b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), for the purposes of licensing
and certification of a new nuclear fission thermal powerplant or for
a relicensing of an existing nuclear fission thermal powerplant, a
determination by the United States Regulatory Commission that a site
and related facility meets the seismic safety standards established
on or before January 1, 2012, by the United States Nuclear Regulatory
Commission for licensing or relicensing of a nuclear fission thermal
powerplant shall be conclusive and binding on the commission as to
its determination of whether the site and related facility are
seismically safe.